The report puts forward a set of policies to serve as a bipartisan framework for addressing the dire need to rebuild and responsibly invest in infrastructure across the nation. It details bipartisan policy solutions that will improve the country’s highways, roads and bridges, transit and railways, ports and airports, water and sewer systems, energy systems and the power grid, and broadband and communications networks.
The report also helps define the scope of a bipartisan agreement on a transportation and infrastructure plan.
The release of the report is another step in the Problem Solvers Caucus’s efforts to help advance bipartisan infrastructure discussions. Earlier this month, the Caucus penned a letter to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, Speaker Pelosi, and Leaders Schumer, McCarthy, and McConnell calling on them to promote a bipartisan path forward on infrastructure for America.
“The time is now for Congress and the Administration to reach across the aisle, unite, and boost investments in our surface transportation network that will move our transportation systems into the 21st century,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1). “It is vitally important that we build a bridge and put together bipartisan legislation that is both responsive to local needs and worthy of the public’s trust. Infrastructure investment can and will deliver real benefits to every American and additionally, has the unique power to unite us as a nation. I feel confident and look forward to working alongside my Problem Solvers colleagues to put together a strong, successful, bipartisan infrastructure package this Congress. Investing in our roads, rails, bridges, IT infrastructure, and electrical grid is an investment in our nation, our economy, and our families."
"We cannot afford four more years of crumbling bridges, roads, and tunnels, lead-filled pipes, and failed transportation, which is why the Problem Solvers Caucus is putting partisanship aside to find a solution that brings both parties to the table," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "Our new report provides a bipartisan foundation to actually solve the infrastructure issues facing both my home district in North Jersey and our nation, like finally investing in the Gateway Tunnel. We're ready to work with our partners in the Senate and with the Administration to get a bipartisan infrastructure package done."
“With this report, we did what the American people always ask of us: we worked together, across the aisle, to move forward on investments that will make America stronger, safer, and more competitive,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Infrastructure Working Group Co-Chair Conor Lamb (PA-17).
“With the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, I’m proud to unveil our report on Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure in the 117th Congress. This report, which I helped author as co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus’s Infrastructure Working Group, includes a bipartisan set of policies that serve to modernize our nation’s infrastructure across a wide range of sectors. Infrastructure has been among my top priorities since coming to Congress and why I sought to serve on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. I’m glad this issue is getting the bipartisan attention it so badly deserves in Congress and I believe this plan can serve as a blueprint for producing a compromise infrastructure package that meets the needs of communities across the nation,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Infrastructure Working Group Co-Chair John Katko (NY-24).
“Now more than ever our country needs a bold investment in infrastructure – an investment that will put millions of Americans to work,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-3). “There’s common ground to be found, Democratic and Republican alike, so we can rebuild our country.”
“Americans across Virginia, the country, and the political spectrum recognize the need to invest in our nation’s aging roads, bridges, rail, and water systems, ensure the resiliency of our electrical grid, and develop vital broadband internet networks,” said Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-7). “As Congress develops legislation to meet these physical infrastructure priorities, the Problem Solvers Caucus has developed a framework to guide the legislative discussion. As Democratic and Republican Members of Congress, Senators, and Governors meet to discuss priorities and state perspectives, the framework has been vital to these efforts.”
Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) said, “Targeted, responsibly funded Infrastructure has paved the way for prosperity in this country and there is no reason those values shouldn’t remain bipartisan this Congress. I’m proud to have been part of putting this infrastructure package together and hope it gets the true consideration by Congress and the president that it deserves.”
“I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus in putting forward bipartisan infrastructure priorities that will help improve our transportation networks, expand broadband, and revitalize our communities. I look forward to continuing our bipartisan dialogue to deliver robust infrastructure improvements in a fiscally responsible manner for the American people,” said Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9).
“The PSC’s infrastructure report identifies bipartisan solutions to rebuild our roads, bridges, and highways, invest in our ports, expand access to broadband, ensure safe drinking water, and secure our energy infrastructure. This outline should be the starting point for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work together on investing in our future, creating jobs, and modernizing our infrastructure for the 21stCentury. A ‘my way or the highway’ approach won’t cut it – let’s come together and get this across the finish line,” said Rep. Fred Upton (MI-6).
“After years of neglect, our transportation, water, and energy infrastructure is crumbling. We need to help communities get the funding to repair existing infrastructure and ensure new infrastructure is built with the realities of climate change in mind,” said Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24). “Funding to improve our infrastructure is a smart investment that strengthens our economy and creates good-paying jobs. This report underscores the fact that there is bipartisan agreement about the need to modernize our infrastructure to build a 21st-century economy that works for every American.”
“Investments in roads, bridges, waterways, energy, broadband, and the future of our nation is a unifying need and opportunity. America needs both 21st-century infrastructure and bipartisanship if we hope to not just survive - but thrive - and I believe we’re on the path to achieving both,” said Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-3).
"To remain a world class economy we must have world class infrastructure. For too long, we have failed to properly maintain existing roads, much less fund new necessary infrastructure. We must work across the aisle, focus on great projects and keep costs low for the American taxpayer,” said Congressman Rice. “Infrastructure investment is one of the top needs in my district in South Carolina. I am proud to support the bipartisan Problem Solvers’ Caucus Infrastructure Plan,” said Rep. Tom Rice (SC-7).
“In Nevada’s Fourth District and across the United States, investments in infrastructure are sorely needed. I am proud to join fellow members of the Problem Solvers Caucus to release the 117th Congress Infrastructure report — a clear, bipartisan roadmap to revitalize our nation’s infrastructure and create good jobs,” said Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-4).
“As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus Infrastructure working group, I am proud to present bipartisan solutions to the issues plaguing our nation’s infrastructure. I remain committed to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in both chambers to find consensus on this critical issue without putting even more of a financial burden on the middle class,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-2).
“I’m excited to support this bipartisan, common sense proposal to make necessary and long-overdue investments in our nation’s infrastructure that align revenue with user fees, seek to invest as efficiently as possible, and align investments with economic priorities. I hope the Biden Administration will welcome this well-crafted, good-faith bipartisan approach and move swiftly to adopt its tenets to rebuild the country posterity deserves,” said Rep. Peter Meijer (MI-3).
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to modernize our roads, bridges, and airports, and to speed our transition to a cleaner, greener transportation future. As Congress debates President Biden’s jobs and infrastructure plan, this report shows there is bipartisan support for ensuring that the United States – and not a strategic competitor like China – is the global leader in developing and deploying clean energy technologies, as well as for investing in large, complex projects of regional and national significance, like Gateway,” said Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-7).
“Only together can our country address long-term sustainability of our nation's infrastructure system. That’s why I’m proud to support the Problem Solvers Caucus bipartisan infrastructure proposals that will provide much-needed improvements to our infrastructure projects in California’s 39th District and in communities across the United States. Congress must show we can come together on behalf of the American people,” said Rep. Young Kim (CA-39).
“This report is a starting point for a bipartisan negotiation on the infrastructure package that focuses the priorities in seven core areas. Surface transportation, ports and inland waterways, water and wastewater infrastructure, energy, broadband, and communications networks, general reforms, and aviation. These core areas should be the priority in the allocation of funds to manage our national infrastructure to be competitive and continue to rebuild,” said Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-AL).
“As we’ve recently seen, finding common ground on infrastructure is easier said than done. I am proud of the Problem Solvers Caucus’s work to identify the real, substantive deficiencies in our infrastructure and to offer thorough and dynamic proposals to address them. We have an opportunity to bring our infrastructure into the 21st century, and I hope Congress is able to unite around this commonsense approach as we seek to support and develop our communities,” said Rep. Blake Moore (UT-1).
“Preventing America’s infrastructure system from continuing to crumble shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” said Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14). “That’s why my colleagues and I on the Problem Solvers Caucus worked together across the aisle to create a bipartisan consensus on how we can provide a renewed foundation for our 21st century economy, from roads and bridges to water systems to broadband. This report is proof that if Congress commits itself to working across party lines, we can provide the American people with a bipartisan, fiscally responsible package that fulfills our nation’s infrastructure needs, creates jobs and grows our economy.”
“Our nation’s infrastructure plays an integral role in our economic growth, and developing bipartisan solutions is key to making real progress. Improving water infrastructure is vital to the Central Valley to ensure families and farmers have access to clean, reliable water. It is critical Congress comes together to craft a comprehensive infrastructure package, and I am proud of all the work that has gone into drafting this bipartisan proposal to address the needs of so many Americans. The Problem Solvers Caucus’s infrastructure plan proposes essential investments in water, highways, bridges, and railways, and I am pleased to play a role in developing this meaningful framework,” said Rep. David Valadao (CA-21).
View the Problem Solvers Caucus’s report here.
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The Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group in Congress comprised of 58 members – equally divided between Democrats and Republicans – committed to forging bipartisan cooperation on key issues.
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