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Statement on Congressional Progressive Caucus Infrastructure Plan

Washington, DC—Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued this statement in response to a 21st Century New Deal for Jobs, the infrastructure plan proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus:

“As policy leaders look to address the crisis facing our nation’s transportation systems and infrastructure, we are pleased the Congressional Progressive Caucus has released a robust investment plan.

“This plan recognizes the severity of our infrastructure investment deficit by calling for an infusion of $2 trillion in new spending to address decades of neglect and austerity measures that have too often dominated the debate in Washington.

“This level of investment will ensure all forms of transportation — including public transit, Amtrak and other passenger rail systems, roads, bridges, ports, airports and air traffic control — are expanded and modernized, and will create millions of middle-class jobs.

“Additionally, we applaud the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ commitment to our nation’s transportation manufacturing sector by calling for strengthened and more defined Buy America rules. Expanding American job creation by maximizing public purchasing power must be included in any infrastructure plan.

“This plan also rightfully applies longstanding labor protections to ensure these investments create and support the quality jobs that elude too many American families.

“We remain committed to the belief that infrastructure is not a red or blue issue. Fixing our nation’s many and serious transportation and broader infrastructure challenges will require strong bipartisan cooperation and buy-in from political leaders on both sides of the aisle.

“We look forward to working with our advocacy partners to pass a large-scale infrastructure investment package that finally ends an era of neglect that has harmed our economy and idled millions of good jobs.”

[download_box title=”Statement on Congressional Progressive Caucus Infrastructure Plan” size=”246 kb” description=”PDF Version” url=”https://ttd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/5.25.17-CPC-infrastructure-plan-press-statement2.pdf”]