[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                CBC SUPPORTS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 28, 2021

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of 
infrastructure to my district and the Nation. Right now, we are 
discussing two monumental transportation and infrastructure improvement 
proposals: the American Jobs Plan and the INVEST in America Act. Both 
proposals would repair and replace airports, bridges, buses, seaports, 
and thousands of miles of American highways.
  These proposals would provide direct benefits to my constituents in 
New Jersey's 10th District. The greatest benefit would be the 
construction of the $13.4 billion Gateway Program. The program consists 
of two projects: a new Portal North Bridge and a new Hudson River 
Tunnel to go with repairs to the current tunnel. The existing bridge 
and tunnels are more than 110 years old. They have been here longer 
than the Empire State Building and they are an accident waiting to 
happen. Each facility carries 200,000 passengers in 450 trains every 
day to destinations in New Jersey, New York and across the country. A 
shut down of either facility would cost $100 million in lost economic 
output every day. Thankfully, officials will begin construction on the 
new Portal North Bridge this year. But we need funding for the Hudson 
River Tunnel project immediately.
  The Gateway Program is not the only infrastructure project that would 
receive aid from these bills. A strong investment in our nation's 
infrastructure will help the City of East Orange improve their transit 
network and revitalize their downtown area. It will provide more 
advanced vehicle and pedestrian crossing signals to increase the speed 
and safety of traffic in Newark. It will replace sidewalks and 
streetscapes in South Orange. In addition, it will give the residents 
of Bloomfield a modern train station.
  These projects are all critical to the economic health and prosperity 
of my residents. I know each Member of Congress has a similar list of 
projects that will bring similar benefits to their constituents. We 
cannot wait any longer. The longer we wait, the farther behind our 
national transportation system falls in relation to countries in Europe 
and Asia. We need to support these bills, repair our bridges, repave 
our roads, and make life better for all Americans. It is the job we 
were elected to do. Now, it is time to do it.

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