Infrastructure funding is coming to the forefront for Congress. In fact, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue, and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumk teamed up to push for Congress to adopt a multiyear, fully funded surface transportation bill. This bill would offer funding certainty, as well as support for infrastructure projects that improve safety, facilitate trade, and create jobs.
“Transportation infrastructure carries the weight of the economy and helps sustain long-term economic prosperity,” Timmons testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
“Unfortunately, I hear concerns about the state of our infrastructure from NAM members constantly, regardless of their size or sector,” said Timmons. “From the world’s largest multinationals to family businesses up and down Main Streets across America, everyone recognizes that our aging infrastructure is a significant impediment to our nation’s competitiveness and our ability to maintain our mantle of economic leadership.”
While he was testifying, Timmons talked about a survey, which was sponsored by NAM and Building America’s Future. This survey shows manufacturers’ concerns over the viability of America’s roads and bridges. They also have concerns with the capacity and efficiency of transit and aviation systems, as well as ports, to manage the growing volume of goods in transport.
“Infrastructure matters to manufacturers. It matters during every step of the production process, from receiving inputs to shipping our products to markets at home and to customers abroad. In addition, manufacturers are vital suppliers to the transit and road-building industry, providing rolling stock, engines, concrete, machinery, aggregates, barriers, signs, safety equipment and other materials.”
“I know it’s a tall order in a political environment that is so highly charged, but America’s manufacturers need bipartisan leadership to help fix the problem. Manufacturers are counting on Congress to fulfill its well-established responsibility of facilitating commerce in the United States,” Timmons noted to the committee members.
If you want to view the entire hearing, check it out here:
Just for Fun- Download the “I’m Stuck” App from Building America’s Future and tell your elected officials when you are stuck in traffic, or experience delays by plane, train or automobile.
