Dems Propose a $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
The Congressional Progressive Caucus is planning to introduce a $2 trillion infrastructure plan that “puts a priority on creating jobs and protecting the environment.” In just its first year, the plan provides total of $200 billion in support for projects such as $35 billion in drinking water and wastewater projects; $50 billion in energy infrastructure; and $2.5 billion in natural disaster and cyber resiliency. Other funding areas include roads and bridges, schools, broadband, affordable housing, transit, airports, ports, and waterways, veterans facilities, public lands and Indian Country.
Along with the proposed legislation, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) will be introducing a Concurrent Resolution that includes several references drinking water and wastewater. The following statements may be of particular interest to state drinking water programs…
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION: Supporting efforts to enact a bold jobs and infrastructure package that benefits all Americans, not just billionaires.
+ Whereas the Nation’s crumbling roads, bridges, and schools, unsafe drinking water facilities, and outdated energy systems are in need of major transformation, and a plan is needed to rebuild the Nation and create millions of good jobs;
+ Whereas the Nation’s taxpayers should not subsidize billionaires and Wall Street banks that will profit from privatizing roads, bridges, drinking water and sanitation systems, and utilities;
+ Whereas any clean water initiative must prioritize investment in communities most in need, ensure safe drinking water for millions of Americans, and protect the Nation’s rivers, lakes, and oceans;
+ Whereas a genuine infrastructure agenda should not sell or lease roads, water systems, or other essential infrastructure facilities, resulting in new tolls and user fees on working families;
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that any infrastructure plan passed by Congress must—
+ include expanded Buy America provisions, protect and encourage the use of project labor agreements, require the use of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage standards, include strong local-hiring and veteran-hiring requirements, ensure racial and gender equity in hiring, and guarantee that disadvantaged communities most in need, including both urban and rural communities, receive priority;
+ not weaken or repeal existing laws or rules protecting the air, water, or environment, transportation safety, civil rights, worker safety, prevailing wage standards, or minority contractor provisions; and 10) prioritize resilient infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, as well as physical- and cyber-attacks.
A specific date of introduction for the resolution or the bill has not yet been determined.
