House Dems Unveil $760B Infrastructure Plan With Ambitious Climate Agenda

"The backbone of the plan would be a highway, rail and transit bill, of the kind that Congress enacts typically every four or five years."

"House Democratic leaders unveiled the outlines for a $760 billion, five-year infrastructure package on Wednesday — a proposal that includes an ambitious climate agenda but not, so far, many specifics about how to find the money.

In raw dollars spent, the Democrats' package rivals the $1.5 trillion, 10-year infrastructure plan that President Donald Trump put out with great fanfare two years ago. But Trump's would have relied mainly on state, local and private dollars — a controversial element even among many Republicans — and focused heavily on reducing the amount of time it takes to approve permits for projects.

The framework that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats released Wednesday includes an amalgamation of existing highway, transit and water legislation, of the type that Congress passes every few years, as well as new efforts to boost the availability of broadband internet and help communities counter the effects of climate change. Housing and school construction will also be a "special focus," Pelosi told reporters."

Kathryn A. Wolfe reports for Politico January 29, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"House Democrats to Unveil $760 Billion Infrastructure Plan" (New York Times)

"U.S. House Democrats Call For $760 Billion In Infrastructure Spending Over Five Years" (Reuters)

"Environment Takes Center Stage In House Infrastructure Plan" (The Hill)

Source: Politico, 01/30/2020