Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, is an avid proponent of President Joe Biden’s ambitious eight-year, $2 trillion proposal to rebuild America’s failing infrastructure.
The president’s plan would infuse capital into broadband buildout, affordable housing and the rail system.
Under the American Jobs Plan more than $600 billion would go toward transportation needs — including $115 billion to repair roads and bridges.
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Vermont a C grade for infrastructure in 2019. There are 66 bridges and more than 666 miles of highway in poor condition in the state, according to the White House.
Beyond creating jobs and upgrading infrastructure, Leahy said Tuesday that enacting Biden’s proposal would help the U.S. maintain its perch as a world power.
“America can’t be left behind. The world’s an economic race. We’re losing to China. Beijing is investing heavily in new roads, railways, water infrastructure and investing in the economy,” Leahy said.
“We can’t continue our position as the leader of the global stage by thinking small,” he said.
Incidentally, the senior senator’s spotlighting of Biden’s American Jobs Plan came a day before Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Douglas Emhoff, was scheduled to visit Burlington to tout the proposal.
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