On the recordApril 21, 2021
Today I rise for the concerns over the President's $2 trillion infrastructure plan. One concern is the steep price tag, but my bigger concern is what the administration is trying to classify as infrastructure. We are to the point of changing the definition of what that is. We are throwing everything in except the kitchen sink and the kitchen table and calling it infrastructure. I think that is irrational and I think that is irresponsible. How can you call this an infrastructure bill when less than 6 percent of it goes to roads and bridges, 5 percent goes to broadband infrastructure, and less than 2 percent goes to the waterways, locks, dams, ports, and airports? Less than 2 percent of our waterways and ports is unacceptable. This type of infrastructure is critical for Hoosiers in transporting our manufactured and agriculture exports to the global market. If we are going to ask the American taxpayers to make these critical and substantial investments, it is our duty to make sure our dollars are spent wisely and efficiently on true infrastructure. ____________________
