On the recordApril 21, 2021
I thank my colleague from Louisiana for yielding. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. Madam Speaker, this evening I really rise to voice my concerns over the President's $2 trillion infrastructure plan. One concern is the steep price tag, but a bigger concern is what the administration is trying to classify as infrastructure. These attempts from some on the other side of the aisle to classify their partisan priorities as infrastructure, is inexcusable and it is irresponsible. The President is asking American taxpayers to fork over $2 trillion. If the President is asking Americans to make a substantial investment, it is Congress' responsibility to ensure that these tax dollars are spent wisely. Unfortunately, the President's proposed bill doesn't do this. How can it be infrastructure legislation when less than 6 percent goes to roads and bridges and less than 5 percent goes to broadband infrastructure? There is a true need for infrastructure. For instance, in my district, our rural communities need help getting their last mile of broadband. This pandemic has proven that high speed broadband must be addressed. Madam Speaker, I hope we can remove the partisan approach to this bill and solve the real infrastructure challenges of our country.
