Babin Introduces Legislation Allowing Open Competition to Rebuild America's Infrastructure

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX-36), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has introduced the Municipal Infrastructure Savings and Improvement Act, legislation to open up the bidding and development process for federally-funded public works projects and allow them to incorporate innovative and cost-effective building materials.

Congress has an obligation to get the most out of every taxpayer dollar it spends, but that is simply not happening right now with federally-funded public works projects. This legislation empowers engineers and architects by allowing them to choose from a full spectrum of building materials and components, and not just those that a municipal government deems appropriate. Instead of government picking winners and losers when it comes to building materials, it shifts that responsibility and final judgment to where it belongs -- the engineers and architects doing the construction.

"President Trump is committed to rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, and so am I, but we can't repeat the inefficient and ineffective practices of the past and frankly, the present," said Rep. Babin. "This bill makes a simple but critical reform to our federally-funded procurement and project-development process by returning authority and responsibility to the construction professionals who know best. As we come together on President Trump's signature infrastructure proposal, the next Water Resources Development Act and other legislation, this bill will ensure we use the best products and get the best return on investment to the taxpayer."

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