In The News

Infrastructure spending should be about people, not politics

By: Mike Bost – March 26, 2025

President Ronald Reagan once said improving our roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure is “an investment in tomorrow that we must make today.” He was right. It’s not just about pavement and steel; it’s about economic growth, public safety, and ensuring America remains competitive in a global economy for years to come.

In recent years, however, infrastructure spending began to prioritize pet projects over the core needs of hardworking commuters. Under the Biden administration, billions went toward initiatives like electric vehicle subsidies and bike trails, while the roads and bridges that families, truckers, and farmers depend on were left in the dust. Meanwhile, supply chains bottlenecked, roads cracked and crumbled, and government red tape slowed down critical projects for years. Enough is enough.

I’m thrilled to have President Donald Trump back in office because, as a business leader, he gets these issues better than most politicians ever could. I grew up in a family trucking business. I know firsthand how vital our roadways, railways, airways and waterways are to keeping America moving. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I look forward to working with the president on common-sense solutions to make our infrastructure safer, grow the economy, cut red tape, and invest in rural America.

One of my top priorities is addressing the national truck parking shortage. Any truck driver will tell you how hard it is to find a safe, legal parking spot at the end of a long shift. When truckers are forced to park on highway shoulders or in unsafe locations, it’s a danger to everyone on the road. We saw that in southern Illinois in 2023, when a commuter bus struck a tractor trailer parked on the side of an exit ramp with its driver resting inside. The deadly accident highlighted how important it is that we do something to fix the problem now.

That’s why I introduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which dedicates federal funding to expand truck parking across the country. It will make our roads much safer when truck drivers are no longer having to push that extra mile to find a place to rest. It will also strengthen our supply chain by supporting the men and women who keep it moving.

We also need to cut unnecessary regulations that delay infrastructure projects for years. I’ve co-sponsored legislation to streamline permitting for transportation and energy projects, like the Lower Energy Costs Act, so we’re not waiting decades to fix failing bridges or build new highways. The longer these projects are delayed, the more expensive they become. I’m thankful the Trump administration has made major progress in rolling back bureaucratic delays.

And while infrastructure spending often focuses on major urban areas, rural America like my district can’t be left behind. That’s why I’m working to improve water infrastructure, strengthen our inland waterways, and ensure federal funds reach the communities that need them most not just big-city pet projects. Farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses rely on well-maintained infrastructure to stay competitive. Prioritizing rural roads and highways isn’t just good policy, it’s vitally important to keep America running.

This isn’t about politics it’s about people. It’s about ensuring our roads, bridges, and supply chains serve the hardworking Americans who rely on them every day. That’s the approach I’m committed to taking in Congress.

We need to ensure that every dollar spent delivers real results, because our country depends on it.

Rep. Mike Bost has represented Illinois’ 12th congressional district since 2015. He serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and chairs the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.