DeLauro Asks Congressional Leaders to Support the National Infrastructure Development Act

WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today wrote to the Ranking Members of House Committees that have jurisdiction over the National Infrastructure Development Act. In her letter, DeLauro argues that Congress must pursue clear, comprehensive infrastructure policy that addresses the scope of the problem and creates good paying jobs that cannot be outsourced.

"While it is still unclear what President-elect Trump will pursue when it comes to infrastructure, we know that it could be at the forefront of his agenda," DeLauro wrote to the Ranking Members. "When your Committee begins considering infrastructure, I encourage you to support the creation of a National Infrastructure Development Bank. It would be a bold step forward that addresses the tremendous shortfall in infrastructure investment, creates jobs, spurs long-term economic growth, and improves our competitiveness in a global economy."

DeLauro has introduced the National Infrastructure Development Act in every Congress since 1994. The legislation, modeled after the European Investment Bank, would leverage private sector dollars from institutional investors, such as pension funds, to supplement current funding in our nation's infrastructure. It would provide loans and loan guarantees to projects, and issue Public Benefit Bonds with proceeds to fund projects.

Her bill currently has strong Democratic support with 97 co-sponsors, and enjoys broad support from an array of organizations, including Blue-Green Alliance, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), United Auto Workers (UAW), and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) as well as Transportation for America.

DeLauro sent the letter to the Ranking Members of the Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The full letter is available here.

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