Bipartisan Infrastructure Bills Unite Senate Democrats and Republicans

A recent statement by U.S. Senator John Barrasso highlights the growing momentum behind bipartisan infrastructure bills in the Senate. As the country begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, these bills aim to provide a much-needed boost to the American economy by creating jobs and improving the nation's highways, ports, and water systems. In contrast, the House of Representatives remains divided, with Democrats pushing for a partisan "Green New Deal" that prioritizes liberal priorities over bipartisan solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• Three bipartisan infrastructure bills have passed out of committee with unanimous support in the Senate, addressing highways, ports, and water systems.
• The bills aim to create jobs, improve efficiency, and move goods and services across the country, ultimately contributing to the economic recovery.
• Democrats in the House, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio, have put forward a partisan outline calling for massive government spending over the next five years.
• The House Democrats' framework includes measures to make federal buildings carbon-neutral, eliminate transportation-related emissions, and allocate over $100 billion for public transit systems, representing a 72% increase over current funding levels.
• A recent survey found that nearly half of people who used public transportation regularly before the pandemic plan to use it less frequently or avoid it altogether.
• Republicans, including Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, have expressed frustration with the House Democrats' approach, citing the need for bipartisan solutions and incorporating Republican principles.
• The Senate's bipartisan bills have received support from both sides of the aisle, including President Donald Trump, who called for the highway bill to pass in his State of the Union Address.

Statistics:

• 20% of people who took buses, trains, and subways regularly before the pandemic now plan to avoid them in the future.
• 28% of people plan to use public transportation less frequently following the pandemic.
• Nearly half of people who used public transportation regularly (48%) plan to use it less frequently or avoid it altogether.
• Over $100 billion allocated for public transit systems in the House Democrats' framework, representing a 72% increase over current funding levels.

Sources:

• U.S. Senator John Barrasso, "Democrats in the House should follow the Senate's lead. It's time to find real solutions for the American people and economy." (Fox News, June 1, 2020)
• Statement by Senator Barrasso, citing the bipartisan infrastructure bills passing out of committee with unanimous support in the Senate.
• House Democrats' partisan outline for infrastructure legislation, citing massive government spending and liberal priorities (March 2020).
• Survey data showing public transportation usage decreases following the pandemic (no specific source provided).
• Rep. Sam Graves' statement on the need for bipartisan solutions in infrastructure legislation (no specific source provided).
• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's advancement of the most substantial highway infrastructure legislation in history (no specific date provided).
• President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address (no specific date provided).