Infrastructure Talks Continue; Leaders Work to Build Support

Infrastructure negotiations across the Capitol continued this week as members from different factions in Congress worked to build support for their top priorities. On June 15, the Problem Solvers Caucus submitted an eight-year, $1.25 trillion infrastructure plan in an attempt to aid faltering negotiations between Congress and the White House.

The bi-partisan group released “Building Bridges: A Bipartisan Physical Infrastructure Framework,” a bill authorizing funds for multiple types of infrastructure, including:

  • $582 billion for highways, roads, safety, and bridges;
  • $155 billion for transit;
  • $120 billion for Amtrak, passenger, and freight rail;
  • $74 billion for drinking-water, wastewater, and Western water storage; and
  • $71 billion for clean energy and the electrical grid

More work on infrastructure legislation proceeded through the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, with the approval of the $547 billion INVEST in America Act, following a nineteen-hour markup hearing that concluded early in the morning on June 10. In addition, the committee approved the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021, authorizing $50 billion over the next five-years to “address America’s crumbling wastewater infrastructure and local water quality challenges.” Links with more information can be found below:

GFOA’s Federal Liaison Center will continue to monitor Congressional activity as it develops.