[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMAINING FOCUSED ON INFRASTRUCTURE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I recently met with local and State 
leaders about the infrastructure needs of our community, which are 
significant. There is widespread agreement that an investment in our 
Nation's infrastructure is needed to alleviate traffic, improve 
flooding conditions, and address other safety concerns.
  Imagine my disappointment, Madam Speaker, to learn that less than 10 
percent of President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure package will be 
spent on roads and bridges. Also of concern, less than 2 percent of the 
package is allocated for waterways, locks, dams, ports, and airports, 
which are all very important to the State of Florida; and less than 50 
percent is allocated for much-needed broadband expansion, which would 
help to address the digital divide in our country.
  These traditional infrastructure projects, coupled with 
infrastructure investments that are linked to our Nation's security, 
such as safeguarding our energy grid, water systems, and other critical 
assets from cyber and other attacks, are the types of projects my 
constituents want to see funded.
  Unfortunately, President Biden is using the guise of infrastructure 
spending, which enjoys relatively high support among Americans--it is 
really a bipartisan issue--to push highly partisan and unpopular policy 
proposals, such as the Green New Deal. Many of these policies will hurt 
American consumers and workers.
  The vast majority of spending in the bill consists of non-
infrastructure expenditures. For example, the bill contains $400 
billion in expansion of Medicaid; $213 billion in spending for housing 
initiatives; $100 billion of additional funding for schools, without 
any type of requirement for them to reopen; $50 billion for a new 
office at the U.S. Department of Commerce; $35 billion for climate 
science; and $10 billion for a new ``Civilian Climate Corps.''
  Adding insult to injury, Madam Speaker, this astronomical spending 
plan would be funded through tax increases. This current proposal fails 
to address our Nation's most critical infrastructure needs and falls 
short of meeting my constituents' expectations.
  We can do better, Madam Speaker, if we work together. My constituents 
want their elected officials to work together to get things done, 
improving opportunities for our families and our community. They do not 
want to see us use our time in Washington to play political games. 
Please be assured I will remain focused on this paramount objective.

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