National Infrastructure Week

Floor Speech

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of National Infrastructure Week.

Our national infrastructure is in dire need of repair. The American Society of Civil Engineers' most recent report card gave American infrastructure a D-plus.

Many of us here are parents. If your child came home with a D-plus, you would work with them on their homework, find a tutor, or maybe punish them. Yet our response to a near failing infrastructure grade is neglect.

In the short term, investments in our national infrastructure create jobs. In the long term, they help communities grow and expand opportunity.

I recently met with Transportation Secretary Foxx to discuss the proposed South Suburban Airport. With the national spotlight on the long lines at O'Hare and Midway, it is clear that the Chicago region needs an investment in a new airport to expand the region's air traffic capacity.

Investing in infrastructure is a win in both the short term and the long term. So this week, I urge my colleagues to stand with me and work together to invest in our future by improving and strengthening our Nation's infrastructure.

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