February 12, 2018

New Democrat Coalition Infrastructure Task Force Statement on the Administration’s Infrastructure Plan

The New Democrat Coalition’s 21st Century Infrastructure Task Force, Co-Chaired by Reps. John Delaney, Elizabeth Esty, Stacey Plaskett, and Norma Torres, along with Chair Jim Himes, released the following statement on President Trump’s infrastructure plan: 

"Infrastructure is one of the few policy areas where there is strong bipartisan interest to get something done. Any new proposal must include new federal funding, responsible regulatory streamlining, and encourage life-cycle funding in innovative infrastructure projects that are built to last, not just shift even more of the burden to state and local governments. New Democrats are committed to working towards a bold plan that modernizes America’s infrastructure by revamping the Highway Trust Fund and other funding sources, creates an infrastructure bank, incentivizes rebuilding communities of need, and encourages innovation and reform.

“We are hopeful that the administration and Congressional Republicans will approach this differently than the partisan approach they have taken on tax reform, healthcare and so many other issues. We stand ready to work in a bipartisan way to strengthen our economy, ease traffic delays for our constituents, and connect more people to opportunity."

Earlier this year, the New Democrat Coalition 21st Century Infrastructure Task Force, along with Chair Jim Himes, released a set of priorities to increase long-term federal investments in all types of infrastructure. Specifically, the Task Force outlined policy ideas under the following pillars:

  1. Modernize America’s infrastructure
  2. Create an infrastructure bank to finance projects
  3. Create incentives for communities most in need of building and maintaining their infrastructure
  4. Encourage innovation and reform

These priorities build on the three part plan that the Coalition released last year to revitalize our outdated infrastructure: Fund it, Fix it, Foster it.

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