Congresswoman Waters Leads Dems in Fight for Infrastructure Funding
Congresswoman Waters Leads Dems in Fight for Infrastructure Funding
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, introduced landmark legislation to create jobs in the 43rd Congressional District and other communities throughout our nation by funding investments in transportation and water infrastructure. The legislative package consists of two bills, the Transportation Infrastructure for Job Creation Act (H.R. 3858) and the Drinking Water Infrastructure for Job Creation Act (H.R. 3859), which together will provide emergency supplemental appropriations totaling $15 billion over the next six years for job creation through investments in our nation's infrastructure. Her two bills were cosponsored by 69 and 60 of her colleagues, respectively.
"My legislation will provide important funding to improve roads, bridges, transit, and drinking water infrastructure in my district and throughout the United States," said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. "It will also create jobs and economic growth for working families in cities like Los Angeles, Inglewood, Torrance, and Gardena."
Congresswoman Waters played a critical role in obtaining federal support for Metro's Crenshaw LAX Corridor, which will improve transit access in the 43rd Congressional District. It includes stations serving Inglewood, Westchester, and LAX airport. Construction is on schedule for completion by October 2019.
"I was proud to help Metro obtain federal support for the Crenshaw LAX Corridor, but I know we must do more to invest in infrastructure for the 21st Century," said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. "My legislation could provide funding for critical improvements to local highways, reduce traffic congestion, and assist local transit agencies, such as Torrance Transit and the Gardena GTrans system."
Infrastructure investments have a track-record of success for creating good paying jobs for hard-working Americans regardless of educational attainment. According to the Brookings Institute, infrastructure jobs usually represent long-term, well-paid opportunities for the two-thirds of U.S. workers who lack four-year college degrees.[1]
TheTransportation Infrastructure for Job Creation Act provides an emergency supplemental appropriation totaling $7.5 billion dollars over the next six years for investments in transportation infrastructure through the successful "TIGER" program, which provides competitive grants to local governments and transit agencies to fund innovative highway, bridge, and transit projects.
The Drinking Water Infrastructure for Job Creation Act provides an emergency supplemental appropriation totaling $7.5 billion dollars over the next six years for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which help public water systems finance infrastructure projects in order to replace lead pipes, upgrade water infrastructure, and ensure clean drinking water for families.
"A safe, efficient, modern, and accessible transportation system and access to safe, clean drinking water is vital for a healthy environment and a vibrant economy," said Congresswoman Waters. "I urge my colleagues in the Republican-controlled House to join me in fighting for good paying jobs and the infrastructure repairs our country so desperately needs through the Transportation and Drinking Water Infrastructure for Job Creation legislative package."
###