More than half of the proposed $1 trillion bill reportedly includes new spending on roads, rail and other infrastructure across the U.S. | Stock photo
More than half of the proposed $1 trillion bill reportedly includes new spending on roads, rail and other infrastructure across the U.S. | Stock photo
As Congress continued last weekend to work on a massive $1 trillion infrastructure bill, some policy experts are warning against top-down instructions from Washington to give states much greater flexibility.
Democrats, with the assistance of Republicans, are close to an agreement on legislation that will open up the taps to a flow of funding on infrastructure projects, according to reports. The legislation, which was not finalized late Saturday, reportedly includes approximately $550 billion in new spending on roads, rail and other infrastructure, on top of money already approved.
However, concerns have been raised that only half of the proposed spending will go on traditional infrastructure and that much of the money will be directed toward boosting renewable energy, including developing electric vehicle charging stations in rural areas. One argument is that few people in rural areas drive electric cars.
Previously, Reps. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Georgia) and Lucy McBath (D-Gerogia) voted for the infrastructure plan in the House.
There are warnings over the failure to give states more power and make it less top-down and directed from Washington.
"As the negotiations continue on the infrastructure bill, it is important that legislators reduce the number of unfunded mandates and top-down directives," said Chris Denson, director of policy and research at the pro-free market Georgia Public Policy Foundation.
Any package passed should "allow for greater state flexibility when it comes to spending priorities on items such as rural broadband and transportation," he added.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) told senators during a rare weekend gathering that the bipartisan group working on the legislation needed more time, according to Forbes.
"The staffs are still working and say they will have the final legislative text ready tomorrow," Schumer said on Saturday night.
The deal was completed Sunday, and the Senate is expected to vote on the measure this week.
The Senate voted 66-28 July 30 to take up the bill, with 16 Republicans, all 48 Democrats and two independents supporting the procedural move toward a final vote.
Alerts Sign-up