Congressional Champions

“America’s infrastructure is desperately in need of repair -- this year, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimated $4.6 trillion in infrastructure needs, of which more than $2 trillion did not have estimated funding. The American people deserve to have a serious conversation about how to address these needs. To fund infrastructure projects, President Trump's relatively small and incoherent plan would use irresponsible tax gimmicks that benefit Wall Street at the expense of taxpayers. My colleagues and I know that Americans cannot afford to settle for this scam. Instead, we have introduced the 21st Century New Deal for Jobs to ensure that Congress boldly addresses our infrastructure needs and supports a plan that creates millions of jobs without sacrificing protections for workers and the environment.”

“Democrats are leading the way for millions of jobs. Donald Trump wants to sell off our roads to foreign governments and give taxpayer dollars to Wall Street billionaires, and he calls that job creation? Maybe that will create jobs in countries like Russia, but not for hard-working Americans. Democrats are determined to take this fight to the people. Our country is in dire need of a bold vision to repair our crumbling roads and bridges, clean our air and water, restore our children's unsafe school buildings, and connect our communities to each other with high-speed rail and internet. While President Trump and the Republicans are busy concocting a trillion-dollar Wall Street giveaway under the guise of infrastructure, Democrats believe big corporations should pay their fair share to support dignified employment and build a more sustainable and vibrant economy for everyone.”

"Democrats can lead the way in creating millions of new jobs by using true public investment to rebuild our crumbling roads, bridges, and outdated water systems. But any plan we pursue must adhere to a set of fundamental principles of social, racial, and environmental justice so our infrastructure planning workforce reflects the needs of our diverse communities. Any good plan, such as the 21st Century New Deal for Jobs, must provide significant investments to create jobs by addressing the current needs of our country --such as modernizing our outdated schools and replacing our lead-ridden pipelines that have destroyed the public health of children in Flint. Overall, it must commit public money for the public good."

“Now is the time for a direct and bold federal investment in jobs and infrastructure, addressing everything from roads and bridges to broadband, public rail, to our crumbling schools, and energy grid. We need an infrastructure plan that doesn’t aim to provide giveaways to special interests, but helps all Americans and Coloradans and creates millions of jobs across our country. In my district we have to address problem-areas that range from I-25 between Denver and Fort Collins, I-70 which has millions of people traveling to and from the mountains, or the North West line commuter rail that is 35 years behind schedule. A wise infrastructure plan will alleviate traffic, invest in our schools, increase energy efficiency, encourage commerce, and create millions of good-paying jobs.”

"America's infrastructure is the cornerstone of our national security and the key to job creation, business development, comfortable lives and quality communities. When we invest in our roads, bridges, airports, waterways, ports, pipelines, rail lines and broadband systems, we invest in ourselves and pay prosperity forward to future generations. So we can't be shortsighted. We need to think big, plan ahead, and make rebuilding our infrastructure the priority it needs to be."

"Smart meaningful investments in our infrastructure are absolutely critical to creating jobs and increasing our economic competitiveness in the 21st Century. We can’t allow our economy to fall behind our global competitors due to inaction. Improving our aging infrastructure will create jobs, expand our economy, improve public safety, and ensure that our businesses and industries are able to thrive. It’s common sense. I'm proud to support this resolution with a set of principles for job creation and infrastructure investment that will help move our country forward."

“We need to invest in creating millions of jobs rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, expanding the green economy, and bringing broadband to communities across the country. We need to invest in these infrastructure jobs so that communities – especially communities of color – are empowered for a 21st century economy.”

“While Trump’s plan has no commitment to expand vital Internet service, progressive Democrats have a 21st Century vision of increasing jobs and economic opportunity in all our communities. Our plan will expand economic opportunity by bringing high-speed Internet access to all Americans -- including new access for rural communities and incentives to increase adoption in low-income communities. By doing so, we will help create millions of new jobs and start ups in rural America, in tribal areas, and in urban centers that have yet to see the gains of the technology revolution.”

“This principles in this resolution will not only rebuild our crumbling roads, bridges, ports, airports, schools, water systems and other vital infrastructure projects. They will also lift up hard-working families in St. Louis and across the nation. The long-overdue investment that we make in public infrastructure will generate millions of good American jobs and it pay huge dividends for many generations to come. I’m proud to cosponsor this important set of principles that will move our nation forward.”

“Too much of our infrastructure is in fair or critical condition, even though there are hard-working people across New Hampshire and our nation ready to do the job. It’s time for Congress to work together on a comprehensive infrastructure plan that follows these basic principles to address our urgent needs, invest in our future, and create good jobs.”

“Donald Trump’s cruel budget eliminates billions in funds that invest in our transportation, air quality and safety. In stark contrast to Trump’s misguided values, we at the Congressional Progressive Caucus have prioritized infrastructure to ensure success for our communities. Day in and day out, our children, families and communities rely on safe school buildings, up-to-date transportation, secure roads and bridges and a steady paycheck.”

“American workers must be front and center as we develop proposals to modernize our aging infrastructure. There is a human cost of our decaying bridges, roads, and public buildings, and the Republican plans do nothing to ensure this funding will support the people who will rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Maine ranks 49th in the nation for broadband access— and significant investment is needed to help our state expand access in rural areas and become attractive to younger workers and business owners. A new federal infrastructure package represents an opportunity to bolster Maine’s workforce both for those who will implement these projects and those who will benefit from them down the line.”

“The 10 principles outlined in Rep. Lieu’s resolution introduced today, ensure that an American infrastructure plan prioritizes public investment, racial and gender equity, environmental justice, and strong labor protections. One of the first things I did when I was elected to office was investigate the state of transportation and infrastructure in my district. I heard from my constituents about the need to improve roads, reduce congestion, and invest in public transit. The Congressional Progressive Caucus’ 21st Century New Deal for Jobs does all of this and more by taking a comprehensive look at our community’s needs and by creating solid, good paying jobs. In particular, for my constituents, clean air is a priority and I am committed to supporting technologies like battery energy storage that can make renewables dependable and move us away from fossil fuels. The Progressive Caucus’ infrastructure plan is a plan for all Americans.”