House spending bill takes a fix-it-first, carbon-conscious approach to transportation

Media Contacts
Matt Casale

Former Director, Environment Campaigns, PIRG

Includes nearly $500 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase investment in transit and safety, and boost vehicle electrification

U.S. PIRG

WASHINGTON — House Democrats unveiled a nearly-half-trillion-dollar transportation spending bill Wednesday, titled the INVEST in America Act. Although the proposed bill would spend more than twice as much on highways as transit and rail, it shifts the focus of the spending toward “fix-it-first” and more sustainable investments, including expanded transit networks, electric buses and electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as safer streets for walking and biking.

U.S. PIRG Transportation Campaign Director Matt Casale issued the following statement: 

“The transportation status quo in the U.S. is unsustainable. We spend too much time in bumper-to-bumper traffic, public transportation systems are aging and often too infrequent and inconvenient, crashes that result in fatalities and injuries, especially including people walking and biking, are too common, and transportation causes too much air pollution that endangers public health and the climate. 

“While this bill is not perfect — it still spends more than twice as much on highways than on public transportation — it represents a major step forward. It doesn’t continue the status quo, and instead takes a new fix-it-first and more carbon-conscious approach to support a safer, cleaner and greener transportation network.”

###

See our report, Blueprint for Tomorrow, for more information on we can build a bold, new vision for federal infrastructure policy.