BUILD BY THE 4th OF JULY: WE NEED CONGRESS TO ENACT A FISCALLY & ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT STIMULATES THE ECONOMY.
Historically, each Congress and every new Administration includes infrastructure as one of the top priorities. However, despite broad support from diverse coalitions, too often they fail to act. Organizations across America agree that we must launch a massive investment program in transportation, energy, water and communications technologies.
The initiative focused on forming a coalition of national and local organizations, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC)—as of February 9, 2021, there are 285 organizations who have joined the initiative (including the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)). The group has formally launched the “Build by the Fourth of July” Campaign, urging newly elected and reelected members of Congress to enact a fiscally and environmentally responsible infrastructure package by the Fourth of July. For the list of coalition organizations, please go to: www.uschamber.com/build-the-fourth-of-july-campaign-partners
According to the coalition, “Doing so will repair our crumbling roads, bridges, and transit along with the gridlock in our major economic hubs that harm our productivity, global competitiveness and quality of life. It will propel public and private efforts to decarbonize our economy in a meaningful way; address infrastructure challenges with both manmade and natural solutions; and close the digital divide by expanding broadband and internet access. This effort also provides an opportunity to ensure the benefits and jobs from infrastructure investments are shared with communities that have borne disproportionate burdens.
Organizations are drawing support from a wide range of business, policy, and labor organizations. The coalition calls for enactment of comprehensive legislation before July 4th to:
- Repair and update our crumbling infrastructure
- Stimulate our economy and create middle-class sustaining jobs
- Address climate change
- Promote fiscally and environmentally responsible policies
- Improve federal project approvals
- Address the digital divide
Tom Donohue,” CEO-U.S. Chamber said, “Our long-term economic recovery requires building a governing coalition committed to bipartisan solutions and tackling a long overdue infrastructure package is an immediate way the new Congress and new administration can demonstrate their shared commitment to the betterment of the country. Rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure is not only one of the fastest and most direct ways to create new jobs and spur economic growth now, but also it will sustain our modern economy for the long-term.”
Sean McGarvey, President-North America’s Building Trades Unions said, “(F)or too long, Congress and Administrations have talked a big game on infrastructure, but put it on the backburner when it was time to act.”
For the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Build by the 4th” Website, please go to: www.uschamber.com/lets-rebuild-america
To learn more, please E-mail: BB4JCampaign@uschamber.com