Press Releases
ICYMI: Senior T&I Reps. Rodney Davis, Randy Weber Featured in The Washington Times Infrastructure SectionIn case you missed it, op-eds by Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure members, Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Randy Weber (R-TX), were featured in The Washington Times’ “Infrastructure: Where the U.S. is going in 2021 and beyond” special section today. The special section also included Ranking Member Sam Graves’ (R-MO) previously released op-ed on his support for Congress improving America’s infrastructure through partnership — not partisanship — in stark contrast to the Majority’s highly partisan budget reconciliation process being used now to move a $1.9 trillion bill. Excerpts and links to the full op-eds are below. Greenlight policies that cut red tape stalling infrastructure progress “Currently, a complex highway project takes an average of seven years just to clear the federal government’s cumbersome review process needed for a project to advance. When one federal agency can take an average of 3.7 to 5 years to complete an environmental review, it’s no wonder that some approvals for critical projects have dragged on for decades. These project delays cost $3.7 trillion in foregone economic gains in employment, efficiency, and more. “That’s why I introduced the One Federal Decision Act last year, which recognizes that federal reviews of major infrastructure projects should be done in a more efficient, reasonable, and timely fashion. The One Federal Decision Act aims to set a government-wide goal of limiting environmental reviews and decision-making to two years for major infrastructure projects, including bridges, highways, airports, railroads, pipelines, and energy production systems. “The legislation that authorizes the funding of infrastructure projects is just as important as the policies and regulations that govern those same projects. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit at the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I), it is my hope that members of the Committee and Congress at large embrace a return to a normal, bipartisan surface reauthorization process.” History proves and future calls for infrastructure and mitigation projects “Regarding infrastructure, [Adam] Smith believed that non-users should not have their taxes confiscated for a purpose that was not purely universal. He favored user fees and, if government involvement was necessary, decentralization to the lowest practical level. But he also recognized the economies of scale for a dedicated group to contribute the costs of building a road or bridge, rather than expecting individuals to pay exorbitantly to build their respective sections of thoroughfare. “My district includes five ports—more than any other Member of Congress—and all or part of Brazoria, Galveston, and Jefferson counties (essentially, the suburban areas south of Houston and the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area). Our region has a history of violent storms, but the desire for a comprehensive mitigation project is not just a parochial one. “Texas—and I contend, America—cannot wait much longer. The effects of the next devastating storm would be felt nationwide.” Highly partisan budget process may roadblock infrastructure progress “Moving into 2021, my hope was that Congress would continue collaborating on any new potential relief legislation. After all, this pandemic doesn’t affect just Democrats or Republicans — it impacts all Americans. “The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s budget measure was rushed to a vote without any comprehension of what effects the previously approved transportation sector funding has had, before significant portions of previous funding has even gotten into the hands of its intended recipients, and with no discussions with Republicans of how best to target any new funding. “We need a return to bipartisanship. And despite this week’s partisan use of the budget reconciliation process by the House majority, I want to reiterate that Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans stand ready to work together in good faith on infrastructure legislation in the coming months.” |