One Major Similarity in the Trump and Clinton Infrastructure Plans

Donald Trump's first major economic speech showed significant changes, including how he'd pay for his hefty infrastructure plan. Both he and Hillary Clinton will likely be relying on the same funding source.

2 minute read

August 10, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


It was only last week that Donald Trump told Fox Business that he'd pay for his $500 billion infrastructure plan through borrowing. Like many positions and declarations coming from the billionaire's campaign, it didn't last long. 

Trump unveiled his economic plan Monday at the Detroit Economic Club, adopting GOP tax cuts.

"He also says he wants U.S. companies to repatriate their foreign cash, proposing a one-time tax holiday that would allow them to pay just 10 percent to bring their cash home," reports Patti Domm, CNBC executive news editor. "That money would be used to pay for infrastructure."

The tax should sound familiar. Both House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Cali.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and President Obama looked to the same source to fund their transportation reauthorization packages, though they used different forms of it. Ultimately, neither was used to fund the FAST Act.

"[Both Trump and Clinton] could look to the repatriation tax holiday for the $2 trillion stashed overseas to cover some of the costs of their proposed infrastructure spending, according to Dan Clifton, head of policy research at Strategas.

Like the FAST Act approved last December, it's Congress that ultimately writes and approves spending bills.

Clinton also proposed an infrastructure bank to help fund her plan, dissected here.

There are major differences between the two candidate's infrastructure plans, reported Domm on July 28. 

Both candidates want to boost infrastructure spending, with the Republicans more focused on roads and bridges than mass transit. Clinton, on the other hand could be more favorable for railroads.

Differences also compared on The Transport Politic via Planetizen.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016 in CNBC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Nevada State Senate building.

Nevada Legislature Unanimously Passes Regional Rail Bill

If signed by the governor, the bill will create a task force aimed at developing a regional passenger rail system.

May 28 - KRNV News 4

Blue sidewalk curb cut painted with white accessibility symbol.

How Infrastructure Shapes Public Trust

A city engineer argues that planners must go beyond code compliance to ensure public infrastructure is truly accessible to all users.

May 28 - Governing

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

Photos: In Over a Dozen Cities, Housing Activists Connect HUD Cuts and Local Issues

We share images from six of the cities around the country where members of three national organizing networks took action on May 20 to protest cuts to federal housing funding and lift up local solutions.

May 28 - Shelterforce Magazine