Pelosi: ‘Pivotal moment’ for infrastructure

The House Speaker said Tuesday during the Transportation Construction Coalition fly-in she is optimistic about a possible infrastructure package.

   House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Tuesday that America is at “a pivotal moment” to pass infrastructure legislation and she is optimistic about a possible infrastructure package.
   “We’ve had legislation come forward always put together in a nonpartisan way to build the infrastructure of America, and we have a special opportunity now because the needs are so great,” she said at the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) fly-in. “We just want to roll up our sleeves and three words — build, build, build.”
   She ended her speech by saying, “We just have to stick with the program. I’m confident that it will happen.”
   Pelosi and other Democratic leaders met with President Donald Trump on April 30 and agreed on a $2 trillion spend for an infrastructure package that includes roads, bridges, highways and water, with an emphasis on broadband and the power grid. The sides did not discuss funding during the April meeting, but Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., are tentatively scheduled to visit the White House on Wednesday, The Hill reported.
   “We could spend $4 or $5 trillion, but if we get started with $2 trillion and then plus housing and education, we’ll have a running start for building the future for our great country,” Pelosi told the TCC.
   Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Tom Carper, D-Del., also addressed the TCC.
   “Sure, you can talk all you want about building, but where is the revenue,” he reportedly said. “We need to restore the purchasing power of the motor fuel tax.”
   The federal gas tax has remained at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel without an index for inflation since 1993. TCC, co-chaired by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association and the Associated General Contractors of America, supports raising the federal fuel tax to ensure the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.