Blog: Republican Budget Would Slash Infrastructure Investments in Better Roads, Bridges, Rail, and Aviation
Statement
For the past few years, Congress has been lurching from budget crisis to budget crisis. Budget uncertainty, on top of spending cuts, has left some serious deficits in United States infrastructure. The result has been congested highways, bridges in disrepair, and roads that have deteriorated.
Instead of investing in the nation's infrastructure, the Republican budget that passed the House on Thursday would slash critical investments for roads, bridges, and rail, and it would further contribute to the infrastructure deficit.
If enacted, the Republican budget would cut funding for transportation projects next year by $51 billion. Cutting investments in transportation programs would have serious implications for infrastructure projects to build and repair bridges and ease congestion on highways and roads. It would also cost jobs. An estimated 186,000 heavy construction and related jobs would be lost next year under the Republican budget, according to the Center for American Progress.
Many transportation programs are supported by the Highway Trust Fund, which needs additional revenue to support investments in the nation's infrastructure in the coming years. But instead of offering a solution to this problem, the Ryan budget proposes to slash a total of $167.5 billion from federal transportation programs over the next decade if no additional revenue is identified.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) said the " Ryan's budget will not provide an appropriate level of investment necessary to build and maintain the nation's 21st century transportation system."
The Republican budget proposes eliminating operating subsidies for Amtrak, a nationwide passenger rail service. It would also reduce funding for the Essential Air Service, which supports commercial air service to small and rural communities. Both of these cuts could pose negative consequences for travelers in rural areas across the country.
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