DeLauro Statement on President Obama’s “Rebuild America Partnership”

Will Reintroduce Legislation to Establish NationalInfrastructure Bank

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released thefollowing statement today on President Obama's "Rebuild America Partnership."DeLauro is the author of legislation creating a National Infrastructure Bank,the idea of which President Obama has repeatedly supported in the past andagain called for today.

"With America's $3.6 trillion infrastructure investmentdeficit, it is well past time that we focus on creating jobs and growing theeconomy through investments in our critical infrastructure. Rebuilding ourroads, bridges, ports and other infrastructure creates thousands of jobs thatcannot be outsourced. These are exactly the kind of steps we should be takingto put our economy back on solid footing.

"America needs innovative tools to supplement currentFederal programs, including a national infrastructure bank to catalyze privateinvestment in our transportation, water, energy and telecommunications systems.I will be re-introducing my National Infrastructure Development Bank Actsoon and look forward to seeing the President's proposal in his forthcomingbudget."

DeLauro's National Infrastructure Development Bank Act seeksto move the debate beyond old ways of thinking about financing ourinfrastructure. It would increase the money available to upgrade and rebuild awide range of our nation's infrastructure, ensuring we finance meritoriousprojects of regional and national significance. DeLauro's legislation willcreate an opportunity to improve our roads and bridges, water systems, energytransmission and more. All this creates hundreds of thousands of jobs, both onthe projects themselves and in surrounding communities, across the nation.