Nancy Pelosi to Headline Infrastructure Week Forum
The real Infrastructure Week is finally here, and Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be among the lawmakers delivering keynote addresses to stakeholders.
Mulero
Pelosi is scheduled to headline the annual “fly-in” of the Transportation Construction Coalition on May 14. Her keynote address to the construction sector comes ahead of a meeting sometime next week with President Donald Trump on infrastructure. The two met April 30 at the White House and agreed to pursue a $2 trillion package during the 116th Congress.
The California Republican said she wants to see the “Builder-in-Chief” lead the way on a funding proposal.
Details on the follow-up meeting have not been announced. The White House declined to comment.
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association is the coalition’s co-chair. ARTBA President Dave Bauer called the high-level infrastructure talks a “positive and constructive step forward in what should be a bipartisan process.”
“Common ground has always been there for the taking when it comes to making major new infrastructure investments,” Bauer added.
Besides Pelosi, the coalition will host Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, as well as new Federal Highway Administration chief Nicole Nason.
The Week Ahead (all times Eastern)
Hoyer
Spotlight Hearing
May 13, 8 a.m.: Not to be confused with the Trump administration’s “infrastructure week,” the seventh annual Infrastructure Week will draw thousands of stakeholders to urge policymakers to invest in roads, tunnels, bridges, ports and waterways. Keynote speakers at the kickoff event include House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), as well as former Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, and president of North America’s Building Trades Unions, Sean McGarvey.
May 14, 10 a.m.: The Aspen Institute hosts a discussion titled, “Rural Development Hubs: Action Infrastructure for Rural Prosperity.” Participants include Kelly Ryan, CEO of the Incourage Community Foundation; Connie Stewart, CEO of the California Center for Rural Policy; and Ines Polonius, CEO of Communities Unlimited.
May 14, 9 a.m.: The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors hosts an advocacy workshop featuring Eno Center for Transportation senior fellow Jeff Davis.
May 14, 2:30 p.m.: The Transportation Construction Coalition’s “fly-in” will feature a keynote address from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
May 15, 8 a.m.: Politico hosts a panel on clean energy. Participants include Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).
May 15, 10 a.m.: The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hosts an oversight hearing on the Council on Environmental Quality. Witnesses include council Chairman Mary Neumayr.
May 15, 11 a.m.: The Intelligent Transportation Society of America hosts Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
May 16, 10 a.m.: The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hosts a hearing on freight rail concerns.
May 17, 2 p.m.: The National Association of Realtors’ legislative meeting and trade expo will feature a keynote address from President Donald Trump.
Mood Swings
With top Senate Republicans appearing to avoid the national debate on infrastructure funding ahead of a high-profile meeting at the White House, we no longer see the chances of a bill passing to be 50/50.
In Case You Missed It
Here’s a $2 trillion breakdown, courtesy of budget guru and friend of all things transportation Jeff Davis.
Who’s New
Jefferies
The Association of American Railroads on May 7 hosted “RailxTech,” an expo on Capitol Hill featuring advancements in safety technology. These include drones, advanced digital imaging, ultrasonic inspection tools and positive train control. “It’s really all about advancing safety,” AAR President Ian Jefferies told Transport Topics. “We’re experiencing our safest time in our industry’s history, but we continue to press forward.” The year began with Jefferies at the helm of the group, succeeding Ed Hamberger.
Buzz
Any meaningful legislative action on infrastructure policy will likely occur after Memorial Day, per sources.
Favorite Video
In the latest installment of our unofficial “Welcome to New York” series, taxi drivers have a few colorful opinions about ride-sharing companies.
Favorite Tweet
Capitol Agenda’s East Coast bias continues with a “keep New Jersey weird” moment.
New Jerseyans OK with this, but not pumping their own gas https://t.co/81x46qTTtj — Matt Friedman (@MattFriedmanNJ) May 9, 2019
The Last Word
[Republicans] don’t want to be blamed for some kind of increase in taxes.
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, speaking to Transport Topics on May 8
We publish weekly when Congress is in session. E-mail emulero@ttnews.com with tips. Follow us @eugenemulero and @transporttopics.
