Federal Investment in Infrastructure

Floor Speech

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Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress representing the Virgin Islands, I came to Congress determined to increase long-term Federal investment in infrastructure, among other things.

I congratulate the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, Mr. DeFazio; Highways and Transit Subcommittee chair, Ms. Norton; and other committees for H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act.

In the midst of so much uncertainty in the economy during the current public health crisis, the American people need the certainty of H.R. 2 to count on stable and strong investment in infrastructure to sustain and create jobs, and enhance the mobility and safety of American motorists, passengers, and throughput systems.

The Moving Forward Act makes a real investment in America, especially in underserved districts like my own. While all of the States have received small and steady increases in funding over the recent decade, severe cuts have disproportionately and negatively affected Americans in U.S. territories.

In the meantime, substandard highways, roads, and stormwater infrastructure have further affected harsh weather patterns. In my district, we still feel the aftermath of major category 5 hurricanes every day. It has been our new normal for some time before the current COVID normal.

We know firsthand that there are areas throughout this country that are in desperate need of revitalizing infrastructure. The American people and businesses are rightly concerned with the infrastructure.

In the 117th Congress, we must show our constituents that the next Congress is determined to build America back better.

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