Timing for Trump’s Infrastructure Plan ‘Up In the Air,’ White House Official Says
It remains unclear when the Trump administration intends to unveil a $1 trillion proposal that would invest in infrastructure projects over several years, the White House’s leader on infrastructure affairs told the Wall Street Journal this week.
“The timing of the process is still a little bit up in the air,” DJ Gribbin, special assistant to the president for infrastructure policy, said during an event with the Wall Street Journal’s Gerald Seib in Washington on April 12.
White House officials are examining ideal legislative tracks for advancing Trump’s vision for rebuilding the country’s bridges, freight corridors, airports, pipelines, ports, and canals. The measure would either be unveiled as a stand-alone legislation, or it would be attached to must-pass authorizing legislation, Gribbin explained. He also emphasized that “infrastructure is one of the most important, and sort of most popular things we’re doing right now.”
The infrastructure bill would include revenue from fuel taxes, as well as private sector capital. Also, the bill would aim to streamline regulations governing the construction sector and include funding for broadband and hospitals for veterans, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao indicated this month.
In February, Trump told Congress to pass a $1 trillion infrastructure bill. During the presidential campaign, Trump promised to deliver an infrastructure investment proposal to Congress during his first 100 days. April 30 will mark the president’s 100th day in office.
On Capitol Hill, Republican leaders suggested they would take up an infrastructure measure this summer. Democrats in the Senate unveiled a $1 trillion infrastructure blueprint in January.
Of note, this year the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the country’s infrastructure a near-failing grade. The group also called on Congress and the White House to approve an increase in fuel taxes to help pay for infrastructure upgrades.
