Democrats Reveal a $760 Billion Transportation Framework

"House Democrats on Wednesday unveiled a $760 billion framework to fund infrastructure investments over five years in an effort to take their first steps on a top campaign priority," reports Cristina Marcos.

The framework falls short of a legislative action, according to Marcos, but the proposal is intended to set a "marker for a top legislative priority for the 2020 campaign…." Details remaining to work out, for instance, include how to fund the investments targeted in the framework.

"The Democrats' framework proposes $329 billion for roads and bridges, $55 billion for passenger rail, $30 billion for airport investments, $50.5 billion for wastewater infrastructure, $86 billion for expanding broadband access for rural areas, and $12 billion for a "next-generation" 911 system for emergency calls," according to Marcos.

A separate article by Tanya Snyder highlights the climate theme found in the proposal: House Transportation Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) says the plan will be a radical departure from highway-focused transportation bills and will put clean energy and climate 'resilience' at the center."

"The climate plan, according to DeFazio, will include everything from making federal buildings carbon-neutral to transitioning to renewable fuels for aviation. He also wants to improve rail and transit options 'as a more efficient way to move passengers than short-haul airlines and automobiles' and use more climate-friendly building materials, like concrete with coal ash that 'actually absorbs carbon.'"

Snyder also contrasts this effort by Democrats to set a tone for the campaign to a five-year transportation bill reauthorization already working its way through the U.S. Senate. That bill mentions climate in the title—a first for a transportation bill reauthorization.