Investing in A New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, an efficient and effective infrastructure system is vital to our Nation's economic well-being. It is vital to every citizen. They realize it. That is why they are willing to pay for it, as long as we do the responsible thing here.

But for years, Mr. Speaker, Federal policies have diverted funding away from the core projects and created a system that incentivizes waste, and, as a result--you can figure it out--our infrastructure is crumbling.

The need for reform is acknowledged across the aisle, across the spectrum. Both sides know there is an opportunity right here, especially with this President.

Unfortunately, the majority has now squandered that opportunity for bipartisan reform. Instead, they propose H.R. 2, which is a leftist wish list that doubles down on the policies that brought our infrastructure to its current deteriorated state.

In fact, the majority of the $1.5 trillion in spending under this bill, 1,400 pages, is unrelated to the repair and build-out of our Nation's infrastructure. Two-thirds of this spending, $1 trillion, was created out of thin air in the 2 weeks since we had the discussion in the Transportation Committee. It was just dropped on us. We didn't even discuss it. After we left and marked up the bill, they added the money and added the policy.

Moreover, the majority has failed to even propose a way to pay for this liberal wish list, instead stating it will be paid for by deficit spending.

We don't always get it right, but at least make an attempt.

Our Nation is $26.3 trillion in debt, $3.5 trillion of that occurring just in the last couple of months. The majority's plan to bankroll their liberal wish list by imperilling future generations is reckless and threatens the very future of our Nation.

I sincerely hope this political theater will conclude shortly, Mr. Speaker, and the majority will get serious about a serious infrastructure package.

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