CAGTC Members,
Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing titled “The Administration’s Framework for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America.” Witnesses included Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and Assistant Secretary of the Army Civil Works R.D. James.
A full hearing summary can found here. To takeaways from the hearing are:
- The Senators expressed optimism that Congress will be able to address infrastructure this year, and most thanked the Administration for beginning this important dialogue.
- Secretary Chao anticipated that TIGER awards would be made in the next two to three weeks. USDOT will then turn to INFRA decisions. She expected INFRA awards would be made by summer, if not sooner.
- Several Senators were skeptical of the leveraging forecasts in the Administration’s infrastructure proposal, questioning whether the $200 federal investment would yield $1.5 trillion in activity. A number of Senators asked questions about the President’s budget request and its proposal to reduce or eliminate existing programs.
- In general, there was bipartisan agreement that room for improvement exists in the permit reform space.
- Secretary Chao reported that all of the Fixing America’s Fast Act permitting reviews have been implemented, with the exception of a few that should be completed by June. Ranking Member Carper (D-DE) requested that USDOT provide an assessment of permitting reforms were made in MAP-21 and the FAST Act and which of those reforms have been implemented.
- Senator Carper expressed support for a gas tax increase and applauded the President’s stance on the topic as well. Senator Van Hollen (D-MD) asked Secretary Chao if President Trump is in favor of a gas tax increase, to which Secretary Chao requested the Senator speak to the White House.
Thank you,
Katie Cross
Manager, Member Communications & Policy
Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors
1625 K Street NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
tradecorridors.org