Pillars of Economic Recovery

Statement

Like Pharaoh's decree that bricks would be made without providing any straw to hold them together, building jobs without the support of solid infrastructure is asking the impossible.

At the heart of the clamor and rancor of a divided Congress, there is a shortsighted and mindless focus on slashing and burning any and all spending programs, regardless of the impact on the economy or job creation. Cuts in essential funding in our physical and human infrastructure; in research and development; and in the safety net for working American families are perversely and absurdly being touted as a quick way to economic recovery. It's the equivalent of a starvation diet without regard for the health and well-being of the patient.

So absurd is the claim that business leaders are voicing their concerns. A rising chorus of chief entrepreneurs is making the case that when we build a solid foundation on which to grow the economy, we build long-term returns that produce sustainable, quality jobs. Even the Executive Chairman of the Internet giant Google, Eric Schmidt, whose high-tech product is anchored in cyberspace's superhighway, understands the pillars of our economic base are grounded in our traditional transportation systems of steel and concrete. He recently said in an interview, "The classic solution is to have the government step in and, with short-term initiatives, help stimulate that demand. If they do it right, they'll invest in income and growth-producing things, like highways and bridges and schools, new opportunities for the private sector to go then build businesses."

As the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I recently received a letter from 20 CEOs of major American companies. They made similar points, emphasizing that infrastructure investments are necessary to keep us competitive as a nation with the rest of the world and to ensure long-term economic growth:

"We operate and compete in a global economy. Enhancing the capacity of all modes of surface transportation infrastructure is essential to keep pace with our global competitors who are making major new investments in their own transportation systems."

"…passage of a well funded, multiyear reauthorization of the federal highway and public transportation programs would provide some needed stability in an uncertain business environment, and should be a key element of a pro-growth agenda."

"Our economy has long been the envy of the world. But our transportation infrastructure has become inadequate to meet the needs of the 21st century economy."

"We must prioritize and invest in our aging infrastructure now if we are to maintain our economic competitiveness and leadership in the global economy."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO have echoed these sentiments jointly. The Congress needs to put aside its petty partisan bickering and return to the longstanding comity with which we have confronted economic downturns. We are not fighting for Democratic jobs or Republican jobs, we are fighting for American jobs.

As the captains of industry pointed out, our competitors, like India and China, are investing hog wild in their respective nations' infrastructures. Our country is not used to playing catch up, but every delay in a long-term, multi-year comprehensive transportation bill hamstrings whole sectors of our economy from planning and investing in quality, well paying jobs.

Proposals being put forth now to chart our infrastructure's growth in the next five to six years must match not only the needs of our crumbling infrastructure but also the opportunities, progress, and advancement being made in construction techniques and materials. We must take advantage of the newest technologies in intelligent transportation systems to secure our roadways and to facilitate the shipment of commerce. We need a bill that gives states, local communities, and contractors a predictable environment in which to bid, break ground, and build. We need a bill that is large enough in size and scope to tackle the backlog of transportation needs in this country.

We must invest in the most up-to-date training and health and safety precautions for our workers. We must invest in education to spur innovations in every segment of our economy. The spark that long ignited our national economic engine has been the imaginations, hard work, and determination of the American people. If you ask me, there is no substitute for the American worker -- the American entrepreneur. They are the creators of our Nation's strength, freedom, and leadership.

We can boost our economy and trim the budget, but it will require concerted thought, backbone, and willingness to compromise and reach a consensus. We simply cannot afford to allow narrow-minded ideologies and partisan agendas to jeopardize the jobs and welfare of working West Virginia families.

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