Press Releases
Join the Conversation on InfrastructureWashington, DC – Earlier this week, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) released a legislative discussion draft for an infrastructure package designed to renew the conversation about how best to meet the challenges of building a 21st century infrastructure for the Nation. The proposal recognizes that we have fallen behind in maintaining our crumbling bridges, congested highways, and other infrastructure, and provides a means for boosting investment. However, it represents just one potential solution to the issues we face. Shuster called on colleagues, stakeholders, and others to bring forward any responsible ideas so that our leaders in Washington and throughout the Nation can continue the critical discussion about how to improve America’s infrastructure. Below are some of the initial responses to the proposal. How would you improve America’s infrastructure? Join the conversation on Twitter @transport and use the tag #building21. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials “There’s a lot that we do like in the proposal and we think it’s a good place to start the conversation.” “We urge lawmakers to get together and start considering some of these ideas more seriously. Infrastructure modernization is never going to be easy, so there’s no better time to have this debate.” North America's Building Trades Unions “This proposal merits a serious discussion by Congress. I specifically want to commend him for laying the foundation for a path forward to sustain the Highway Trust Fund.” Associated General Contractors of America “The chairman has made a serious, substantive effort to identify fiscally responsible ways to pay for improvements to aging and over-burdened transportation, waterways and public buildings across the country.” Marc Scribner, Competitive Enterprise Institute “The typical request from fiscal hawks, and one that I agree with, moves in the opposite direction. Rather than increasing tax rates to match the current unsustainable level of Highway Trust Fund spending, Congress should decrease spending to align with the estimated revenues collected at current tax rates while eliminating federal barriers to states raising their own user-based revenue. National Association of Manufacturers “The Chairman recognizes current transportation funding approaches are neither innovative nor sustainable, but Congress needs to start putting key pieces into play if we are to transition to a new, modern revenue system.” Laborers’ International Union of North America “House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster should be commended for releasing a thoughtful and balanced discussion draft to address our nation’s critical infrastructure needs.” American Traffic Safety Services Association “If additional investments for safety infrastructure or expanded eligibility were included in the proposal, it would be a win-win for the American people: creating good-paying American jobs and saving lives in every congressional district.” “America’s economy depends on fixing our broken infrastructure. Inaction will only continue to harm American commuters, taxpayers and workers.” American Road & Transportation Builders Association “ARTBA commends Chairman Shuster for bringing forward a proposal with real, user-based revenue and a process to deliver a permanent HTF revenue solution.” American Society of Civil Engineers “The draft proposes ending the gas tax as a revenue raised in 2028, as a means to encourage Congress to identify and pass another funding solution by then. While providing an incentive to implement an alternative, this is also a risk if there is not a bill passed with a new funding mechanism.” “The motorcoach industry, like everyone else, recognizes the necessity to update our aging infrastructure to keep America and our economy moving. However, we are extremely disappointed that this proposal would target the diesel fuel tax exemption and at the same time raise the gas tax on our industry.” Association of American Railroads “The proposal, a ‘discussion draft’ which Shuster recently released to reignite discussions around an infrastructure bill, provides options for strengthening the HTF, removing barriers to private investment in infrastructure and reforming the permitting process. It also takes an important step towards requiring all transportation system users to pay for the system they benefit from.” American Association of Port Authorities “Chairman Shuster’s proposal (also on Twitter @transport and #Building21) includes significant improvements to both the surface transportation system linking to ports and waterside funding needed to maintain America’s harbors.” American Highway Users Alliance “Chairman Shuster’s proposal takes important steps to make our taxes go farther: accelerating project delivery by reducing the length of federal project reviews, reforming water permitting, and creating innovative approaches for environmental reviews.” Grow America's Infrastructure Now (GAIN) Coalition “From roadways, to airports, to waterways, and energy corridors – the United States’ infrastructure is in dire need of improvement, so it’s appropriate and timely that Congress step in to help. Capital support for infrastructure will lead to more U.S. jobs and a stronger economy.” American Council of Engineering Companies “Shuster’s plan should help reinvigorate public debate on infrastructure.” National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association “We want to advocate for the future of our country’s infrastructure and ask for support for many of the provisions in this bill.” Associated Equipment Distributors “The Chairman’s proposal acknowledges solutions that AED has urged Congress to enact for the past decade, including increasing the current user fee, ensuring drivers of electric vehicles pay their fair share into the Highway Trust Fund and shifting the nation towards a per-miles-traveled charge or another solution to ensure the long-term viability of the federal highway program.” Association of Equipment Manufacturers “It’s a step in the right direction to reclaiming America’s infrastructure advantage, which will help create jobs and continue to grow our economy.” More information on Chairman Shuster’s discussion draft can be found here.
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