The American Society of Civil Engineers’s most recent infrastructure report card included a C+ grade for United States’ bridges, and D’s for roads and transit.
The six-year, $325 billion plan is likely to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Lawmakers from both the House and Senate will then meet in a conference committee to come up with a final version of the bill, which speeds up infrastructure projects as well as environmental reviews and the permitting process. The bill also extends the deadline for U.S. railroads to implement Positive Train Control technology.
Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.-6th District) was hoping for a much larger investment.
“What this bill does, which is incredibly disappointing to me, and, quite frankly, incredibly stupid,” he said, “it funds our infrastructure at the same levels we’re funding now.”
He estimates more than $3 trillion is needed and says the proposed legislation is a cop-out and vowed to vote no.
Despite his opposition, supporters say it’s the best they’re going to get and some action is better than none.