Congressional Panel Optimistic About Passage of Infrastructure Bill This Year

ACEC News / Convention

April 27, 2021

Congressional Panel Optimistic About Passage of Infrastructure Bill This Year

On the Congressional Panel at the ACEC Annual Convention and Legislative Summit, all three U.S. Representatives said they expected Congress to pass infrastructure legislation this year but differed on the scope of the package.

Representative Troy Balderson (R-OH), who sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says the House could pass an infrastructure bill by Memorial Day. “Is it doable? Absolutely it’s doable,” he said. “It just takes Members of Congress to cowboy up, put away their pride, and start working with each other.”

Balderson said the bill should be limited to traditional infrastructure—roads, bridges, water, and rural broadband—but Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA) said he likes the broader reach of President Biden’s $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan, which invests heavily in “softer” infrastructure.

“This is about winning the future,” said Evans, a member of the House Ways & Means Committee. He said the more expansive bill would be a strategic investment in the “competitiveness and needs of the country.”

Representative Anthony Brown (D-MD) also supported “wider aperture” of the Administration’s proposal, highlighting provisions for equity and resiliency. “An infrastructure package is a great vehicle to ramp up our efforts in addressing climate change,” said Anthony, a member of the House T&I Committee. “

All comments to blog posts will be moderated by ACEC staff.