Sen. Nelson Issues Statement at Hearing on Rebuilding Infrastructure in America

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee issued the following statement by Ranking Member Bill Nelson, D-Florida, at a hearing entitled "Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: Administration Perspectives":

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

"Common sense will tell you that we need to increase our investment in infrastructure.

"You just have to look out your car window when you're stuck sitting in rush hour traffic on I-95 in South Florida or I-4 in Orlando to know that we need to do more.

"Our roads, rivers, rails and broadband are vital links to connect communities and businesses.

"But if you look around the country - they are all experiencing the impacts of decline.

"And, it's only going to get worse.

"In my home state--Florida--the population is growing by nearly one thousand people per day.

"The demands on our infrastructure are going up rapidly, but our investment isn't keeping pace.

"And we also have unique challenges in Florida to address, such as rising seas, nuisance flooding, and saltwater intrusion which are accelerating damage to roads and pipes.

"So, we need to take action.

"I hope we can start by getting some answers today from our distinguished panel. It's not every day that we have five Cabinet members before us.

"My first question is: how are we going to pay for this?

"The president's plan calls for 200 billion dollars but has no clear way to pay for it.

"At the same time, the administration's budget cuts critical infrastructure programs.

"We can't cut our way to prosperity.

"My state knows this all too well as we saw what happened when the governor returned billions of dollars that would have been used to build a new high-speed rail line.

"This was a missed opportunity for Florida.

"Second - should we maintain the federal government's role as a strong partner to our states and communities or add more toll roads and fare hikes?

"I think the answer should be clear.

"We can't toll our way out of this problem.

"To address our infrastructure crisis, a few of my colleagues and I put out a plan for how we can invest a trillion dollars to rebuild and modernize our roads, bridges, waterways and broadband networks.

"This is real money and it is completely paid for.

"The plan will make important investments that could help projects around the country and in Florida.

"For example, just to name a few, it could be used to expand I-4, rebuild the Howard Frankland Bridge and expand access to quality and affordable high-speed internet service not only to the underserved in many of our cities, but also the unserved in places like rural Florida.

"It could also be used to upgrade the nation's aging 9-1-1 system, which Congress should make a priority to keep our citizens safe and enhance public safety.

"We need to invest in projects like the ones I just mentioned.

"That's why I plan to work with Chairman Thune and my colleagues on this committee to try to find the best ideas for how we can invest in our infrastructure.

"I look forward to hearing from the panel on the importance of infrastructure and how the federal government can continue to be a partner."