On Wednesday, the Problem Solvers Caucus released their infrastructure proposal to break the gridlock on the infrastructure negotiations.
The 58-member bipartisan group, co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), unveiled their “Building Bridges: A Bipartisan Physical Infrastructure Framework” developed by the PSC Infrastructure Working Group, co-chaired by Reps. Conor Lamb (D-PA) and John Katko (R-NY).
The $1.249 billion, eight-year, bipartisan infrastructure framework would address infrastructure as well as the backlog of deferred maintenance to build a strong infrastructure network, invest in American jobs and grow the nation’s economy, the group said.
“The time is now for Congress and the Administration to reach across the aisle, unite, and boost investments in our surface transportation network that will move our transportation systems into the 21st century,” Fitzpatrick said. “The Problem Solvers Caucus has worked tirelessly to put together this bipartisan framework that is both responsive to local needs and worthy of the public’s trust. Infrastructure investment can and will deliver real benefits to every American and additionally has the unique power to unite us as a nation. An investment in our roads, rails, bridges, IT infrastructure, and electrical grid is an investment in our nation, our economy, and our families.”
The proposal calls for funding highways, roads, safety, and bridges, as well as transit, electric vehicles and buses, passenger and freight rail, airports, waterways and ports, resiliency funds, broadband, water and wastewater treatment, energy, and asset recycling, among other things.
It is the third proactive effort by the group to advance bipartisan infrastructure discussions. In April, the caucus released a report defining the scope of a bipartisan infrastructure agreement and sent a letter to President Joe Biden, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Congress leaders urging them to promote a bipartisan path forward.
“It’s critically important that we get a robust infrastructure package signed into law and that we do it with strong bipartisan support,” Gottheimer said. “The Problem Solvers Caucus framework — Building Bridges — does exactly that and tackles everything from electric vehicles to clean water to fixing our crumbling bridges, tunnels, roads, and rail. This is the model for how we should govern in Washington: Democrats and Republicans working together to find common ground.”