Despite the ongoing government shutdown, funding the nations infrastructure remains at the top of the Trump administration's list of legislative priorities. Finding a long-term source of funding for large construction and maintenance projects, remains elusive. Trump's private sector backed plan was rejected by policymakers in the transportation industry. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee intends to devise a plan that includes a nationwide vehicle-miles traveled pilot program with provisions to boost programs focused on climate and resilience. The legislation would also expand public and smart technology transportation programs.
"'There’s ways we could make the existing infrastructure carry people better, while we invest in the new infrastructure,' DeFazio says. He is among the few lawmakers supportive of increasing fuel taxes for funding federal infrastructure obligations long-term."
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