Lobbying

Manufacturing industry groups press Congress on infrastructure legislation

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More than a hundred industry groups, led by the National Association of Manufacturers, called on Congress Wednesday to move forward with a long-term infrastructure bill.

The groups, in a letter to congressional leadership, encouraged bipartisan cooperation to provide investment and pass a surface transportation reauthorization ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline, when the previous law that authorized surface transportation funding for five years is set to expire.

“Now, building a 21st-century infrastructure system will not only provide urgently needed jobs but also lay the foundation for a more competitive economy. Congressional action is necessary to address the revenue shortfalls facing state transportation departments due to unexpected decreases in road travel,” the letter reads.

Groups on the letter include the American Concrete Pavement Association, American Forest & Paper Association, American Beverage Association, National Lime Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Mining Association, Steel Manufacturers Association, Aluminum Association and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

Major infrastructure legislation has been difficult to advance in recent years. Both parties agree on the need for such a bill, but there are deep divides on how to pay for it and where its priorities should be.

The House passed a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package earlier this month that the Senate has no plans to take up. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has indicated he wants to keep infrastructure legislation separate from coronavirus relief.

President Trump is expected on Wednesday to finalize a rollback of the National Environmental Policy Act, which mandates environmental reviews of major construction projects and pipelines, in an effort to expedite infrastructure projects. 

Tags Donald Trump Infrastructure Mitch McConnell

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