[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 14 (Monday, January 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E64-E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE BUILDING UNITED STATES INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
                   LEVERAGING DEVELOPMENT (BUILD) ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 25, 2021

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Building United 
States Infrastructure and Leveraging Development (BUILD) Act. This 
bipartisan legislation will spur billions of dollars in private 
investment toward surface transportation and freight transfer 
facilities, while giving state and local governments an important 
instrument to improve their communities.
  It is no secret that America's infrastructure is falling apart while 
we fall behind our global competitors. America's roads, bridges, 
tunnels, and transit systems face a funding gap of more than $1.1 
trillion by 2025. One in five miles of highway pavement is in poor 
condition and congestion costs the U.S. economy nearly $305 billion 
annually. Continued underinvestment will lead to longer trips to work 
or school, more costly maintenance expenses, and unsafe road 
conditions. We must do better.
  As of December 1, 2020, the Department of Transportation doesn't have 
any additional surface transportation private activity bonds available, 
as the entire $15 billion statutory cap has been issued or allocated. 
This legislation builds on the success of these bonds by doubling the 
federal volume cap and clarifying that the use of the bonds must 
maintain strong labor standards. While public-private partnerships are 
not a panacea for solving all of our transportation challenges, they 
are an important piece of rebuilding and renewing America. I look 
forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to enact 
this legislation as part of an infrastructure investment bill.

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