When Does Failing to Pass the Infrastructure Bill Become Not OK?
AGX Freight, much like every other industry operator, continues to carefully watch as the politicians in DC play their games, at the expense of national security and highway safety to name just two of the critical interests at stake from the delayed passage of an infrastructure bill.
The Biden infrastructure package, labeled the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, suffered another setback last week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi postponed a vote due to lack of needed support from the progressive wing of the Democratic party. The infrastructure legislation, which has been labeled as “bipartisan,” and characterized as having broad support from both sides of the aisle to fix our roads and bridges – is jeopardized by a bold move of political gamesmanship to get a less popular social benefits and climate spending bill passed. The next target deadline has been set for October 31.
The transportation and logistics industry continues to suffer in conditions that become less safe and deteriorate each day. So far, most of the rhetoric from industry and association leaders has been polite. In fact, a quick survey of most transportation industry websites will reflect an optimistic tone, like the ATA’s recent blog titled, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is a win for American truckers and the U.S. supply chain”. On the heels of last week's postponement though, we’re hearing a greater sense of urgency from (American Trucking Association President) Chris Spear, who said, “We expect them to vote. We expect them to put America first before their own jobs. That’s what they were sent here to do. This is inexcusable” (Transportation Stakeholders Press Congress on $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill).
Other industry leaders have chimed in, including U.S. Chamber of Commerce EVP & Chief Policy Officer, Neil Bradley, who said, “If this vote today was occurring on the merits of the bill, the outcome wouldn’t be in doubt, And we’d have a supermajority passing this” (Business, Industry Leaders Urge Congress To Pass Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill).
There are ways for supporters of the bill to urge their legislators to act, including contacting them through resources like this one, provided by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Mike Williams, AGX CEO, says of the proposed infrastructure bill, “We acknowledge the challenges of passing legislation under any circumstances, much less the circumstances we face today. However, it is exactly because of the challenges we face and the long tradition of overcoming adversity as Americans that we fully expect our elected representatives to put aside partisan games and rise to the challenge and deliver an infrastructure bill. If Washington is looking for inspiration, they need look no further than what our transportation and logistics front-line workers have to face and overcome day in and day out. I’m certain some perspective is exactly the type of motivation needed to get this critical legislation across the finish line to the benefit of public safety and those of us that operate in the freight transportation business.”