The National Association of Manufacturers has launched a nationwide campaign to urge Congress to reauthorize federal highway programs before they expire on Sept. 30.
The “Building to Win” campaign presents an infrastructure policy roadmap with original analysis on the economic costs of congestion on manufacturers, as well as a set of core infrastructure policy pillars. The NAM also debuted its new advertisement that stresses the importance of infrastructure investment and permitting reform.
“Manufacturers need modern, reliable infrastructure to create more jobs, grow our economy and keep America competitive,” NAM president and CEO Jay Timmons said. “From roads and bridges to ports and airports, from highways to runways and waterways, 21st-century infrastructure means supply chains that deliver, commutes that work and communities that thrive. That’s why policymakers must act with urgency this year to invest in robust American infrastructure by passing a strong surface transportation reauthorization bill and commonsense, comprehensive permitting reform.”
The policy roadmap focuses on four pillars for transportation reauthorization – continuing robust investment levels for federal infrastructure and the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund; strengthening supply chains across transportation modes; investing in water infrastructure; and reforming permitting laws and regulations.
According to the organization’s analysis, highway congestion costs manufacturers more than $25 billion annually and results in more than 65 million hours of delays each year. NAM estimates that congestion at container and bulk ports costs manufacturers more than $13 billion annually in carrying costs and demurrage charges.