Congressman Dan Kildee Speaks on Need for Federal Support for Infrastructure Investments

Statement

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today urged greater investments to improve America's infrastructure, as the Democratic-led House introduced a new five-year plan to restore roads, ports and water systems.

At a Ways and Means Committee hearing Wednesday, Kildee focused on the importance of greater federal support for key infrastructure improvements. Kildee and other House Democrats unveiled a five-year plan Wednesday to make critical investments in the country's roads, bridges, ports, airports, water systems, expanded broadband internet access and other investments. The Ways and Means Committee, which Congressman Kildee serves on, is one of the key committees of jurisdiction on infrastructure.

Congressman Kildee highlighted his hope that President Donald Trump--whom has previously suggested he was interested in working on a bipartisan and bold infrastructure proposal--would work with Democrats to pass an infrastructure package into law.

"We must have a national plan to help unleash greater economic opportunity in older, industrial communities like Flint, Saginaw, Bay City and Oscoda," Congressman Kildee said. "By investing in infrastructure and improving Michigan's roads, ports and water systems, we can make our communities more competitive and create good-paying jobs. I am ready to work with President Trump on a bold infrastructure plan. In the House, Democrats have done just that, putting forward proposals that address our country's infrastructure needs. There are many lessons from the Flint water crisis, but one key lesson is that we must get more serious about investing in rebuilding our outdated infrastructure."

The American Society of Civil Engineers gives American infrastructure a D+ rating and estimates our country will need to spend $4.5 trillion by 2025 to make the necessary improvements in our roads, bridges, ports, rail and other infrastructure systems.

Since being elected to Congress, Kildee has pushed for larger federal investments in infrastructure and has championed "Make it in America' policies to spur greater economic investments. Additionally, as part of this "The Future of America's Cities and Towns" initiative, Congressman Kildee has held policy discussions focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities facing many older, industrial communities like his hometown of Flint, Mich.

Additionally, Kildee has secured tens of millions of dollars in federal grants to help make infrastructure investments in Michigan, including over $100 million to replace lead service lines in water systems and $8 million to help reconstruct Flint Bishop International Airport's primary runway.

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