Decrying the recently introduced INVEST in America Act as “hyper-partisan,” Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) offered multiple amendments to the legislation during the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure meeting.
On Thursday, the committee passed the Investing for a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act out of committee and onto the House floor. The legislation provides nearly $500 billion over the next five years for infrastructure needs like maintenance to roads and bridges, as well as investing in transit projects.
Balderson offered four amendments to the INVEST in America Act –
• An amendment to establish trucking apprenticeships to train 18- to 20-year-olds in trucking jobs;
• An amendment to strike the proposed time limit of 10 minutes for trains, locomotive, railroad cars, and other rail equipment to block public crossing included in the bill;
• An amendment to include motorcyclists in any U.S. Department of Transportation study on interactions between automated vehicles and road users; and
• An amendment that would prevent the use of motorcycle-specific checkpoints to profile motorcyclists.
Balderson also joined Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-SC) and other Republican committee members in introducing the Surface Transportation Advanced through Reform, Technology, & Efficient Review (STARTER) Act, an alternative to the INVEST in America Act.
“Transportation issues universally affect Ohioans’ everyday lives,” Balderson said. “When constructing much-needed reforms to surface transportation, it’s critical my colleagues and I set aside politics and instead prioritize the needs of all of our constituents through commonsense solutions that rebuild our roads and create jobs. We’re a nation founded on bipartisanship and compromise. Those values have shaped and improved our country over the past two centuries. That’s no different today—we must work together to achieve positive change for all Americans—which is why I’m a proud co-author of the STARTER Act. Together, I believe our parties can find common ground not only on surface transportation reforms but also a larger infrastructure package.”
Republicans say the STARTER Act provides “pragmatic” solutions to the infrastructure, including freight and highway projects, a national highway freight program, truck parking safety improvement, environmental reviews for major projects, formula grants for rural areas, grants for buses and bus facilities, workforce development and national safety programs, among other things.