Reps. García, Johnson Call for Robust Investments in Public Transit and Pathway to Funding Parity in Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

Press Release

As negotiations on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and the reconciliation package continue, Congressmen Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) and Henry "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), both members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, led 60 colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden and congressional leadership today insisting on a final bill that addresses the climate crisis and existing racial inequities by robustly funding public transportation. The letter calls the current allocation of only 20 percent of funds for public transit grossly inadequate given the scale of the crisis this country faces. Instead, the co-signers say the Senate must adopt the more robust funding for transit passed in the House's INVEST in America Act while providing a pathway to funding parity between transit and highways in a future reconciliation package.

"Status quo policies and funding for American transportation systems continue to fail millions of diverse, working class communities like the people of Chicago. Essential workers across the country rely on crumbling, delayed public transit systems while the lack of safe, accessible, and affordable public transportation deprives many Latino and Black neighborhoods of economic opportunity. It's time we make bold investments to bring America's infrastructure into the 21st century and begin to undo decades of disinvestment in communities of color," said Rep. García. The transportation sector remains the largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and to tackle the climate crisis and support working families, Congress must make transformative investments in clean, reliable, and convenient public transportation alternatives."

"Spending a disproportionate amount of our transportation and infrastructure dollars on highways and roads doesn't make any sense in the 21st century -- a century that's been plagued by the wildly worsening effects of climate change and a global pandemic," said Rep. Johnson. "Investing in transit -- trains, rapid buses and light rail -- is an opportunity to reimagine how we move in the world. Let's cut our reliance on polluting fossil fuels so our environment can recover. Let's prioritize racial equity by investing in workers -- essential workers -- who have been on the front lines of the pandemic. We know how to power our transportation needs differently while still meeting America's energy demands. Let's get to it."

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