Capitol Agenda for the Week of June 6: Trump's Infrastructure Week
The week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.
Trump by Olivier Douliery/Pool via BloombergTwo appearances on Capitol Hill this week by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and speeches in Cincinnati, Ohio, and at the U.S. Department of Transportation by President Donald Trump are meant to bring into focus the White House’s long-term vision for infrastructure funding.
The administration’s push comes on the heels of a fiscal 2018 budget request that proposed spending $200 billion as a way to incentivize $800 billion in private investments for highway and freight infrastructure over 10 years. The $1 trillion funding proposal has been one of Trump’s long-standing pledges, along with repealing his predecessor’s signature health care law and erecting a security wall along the Mexican border.
Democrats already oppose nearly all of the president’s agenda, and they are poised to reject this week’s calls to privatize the air traffic control system, as well as privatize or minimize funding for freight corridors, public transportation and infrastructure grants.
The budget request is “littered with broken promises that will directly harm working families, seniors and people with disabilities,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), ranking member on the surface transportation subcommittee, said.
The request “fails to deliver on promised infrastructure investment,” argued Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
If privatizing the highway system wasn’t enough, the administration is advocating that states resolve their infrastructure funding challenges on their own. Their devolution proposal was included in an “infrastructure initiative” under the tag, “Encourage Self-Help.”
Moderate Republicans have opposed devolution. The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), is one of the leading critics. As his staff wrote in February for a hearing with freight stakeholders: “From the Transcontinental Railroad, to the Panama Canal, to the Interstate Highway System, to the nation’s airports, the federal government invested in infrastructure to ensure the connectivity of the American people and to support the needs of the American economy.”
To be fair, February seems like a long time ago.
THE WEEK AHEAD (all times EDT):
June 7, 7:45 a.m.: The Ripon Society holds a discussion on tax reform and the Republican health care replacement plan with Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
June 7, 8:30 a.m.: The Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology holds a forum on the "Rise of the Machines” with Acting Deputy Homeland Security Undersecretary for Cybersecurity Jeanette Manfra, Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) and National Security Agency Director Adm. Michael Rogers.
June 7, 10 a.m.: Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee holds a hearing on the Trump administration’s view on reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration with Secretary Chao.
Chao by Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg NewsJune 8, 9:30 a.m.: Secretary Chao testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on FAA reauthorization.
June 8, 10 a.m.: Senate Commerce Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Derek Kan, of California, nominee to be undersecretary of transportation.
June 8, 10 a.m.: Senate Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee holds a hearing on the Commerce Department fiscal 2018 budget request, featuring Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
June 8, 11:30 a.m.: The Hudson Institute holds a discussion on "Strengthening America's Infrastructure: What Next?" Speakers include Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne.
June 9: Trump to address U.S. DOT staff about regulatory reform.
June 9, 2 p.m.: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hosts a teleconference of the Human Studies Review Board to advise the agency on the ethical and scientific review of research involving human subjects.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
TRUST FUND: There are 212 House lawmakers who have signed a letter urging tax policy authorizers to guarantee the sustainability of the Highway Trust Fund, according to the office of Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.).
ATRI: The research firm is seeking input from for-hire motor carriers for its upcoming Operational Costs of Trucking report.
RHODEWORKS: Rhode Island House Republican minority leader Patricia Morgan and trucking industry leaders are disputing state Department of Transportation revenue projections for the truck-only tolling RhodeWorks program slated to be in place in 2018.
WHAT WE'RE READING:
The Gray Lady compiled advice from truckers to motorists. Essentially, stop texting behind the wheel!
BUZZ:
Ocean State politicos view the infrastructure plans of Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) as a way for her to garner national headlines. There’s talk that she has national-level aspirations.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The hope is that, that would be matched with another $800 billion either from the states or from the private sector.”
— White House adviser on infrastructure Richard LeFrak on CNBC on May 31.
FAVORITE VIDEO:
Expect massive traffic jams in the New York- New Jersey-Connecticut region with upcoming repair work at New York Penn Station. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) explains:
FAVORITE TWEET:
@realDonaldTrump is not the only official in town with a dank Twitter game. Throwing shade on the opposition party is an art DeFazio has perfected.
W/o the #ParisAgreement Mar-a-Lago will be underwater. Is Pres Trump withdrawing to focus on new soon-to-be oceanfront resort in the Mojave? — Rep Peter DeFazio (@RepPeterDeFazio) June 1, 2017
Thanks for reading Capitol Agenda. We publish Tuesdays when Congress is in session. E-mail emulero@ttnews.com with tips. Follow us @eugenemulero and @transporttopics.
