WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement in support of a Democrat-led proposal to invest in roads, bridges, schools, universal broadband, public lands, and clean energy:
“I have long argued that we need a robust, long-term infrastructure plan to strengthen our communities, help us prepare for the future, and create thousands of jobs in New Mexico and across our country. Smart investments in roads and bridges, universal broadband, ports of entry, public lands, water and sewer projects, and clean energy is action we can – and should – take on a bipartisan basis.
“During his campaign, President Trump repeatedly promised to invest in infrastructure, but the plan he proposed last month is a disaster that relies on tolls and privatization, and that will foist the bulk of the billions of dollars in costs on already strapped states and cities. That kind of plan is a cop-out that does nothing to meet the needs of rural states like New Mexico. Privatizing roads and other infrastructure is unworkable – not to mention a terrible idea – and our state and local budgets can’t afford the cost because they are stretched far too thin already.
“Congress and the president must have the foresight to plan for the future and the political fortitude to get the job done. Senate Democrats proposed one such plan today, and I urge President Trump to work with us to make historic and urgently needed investments in jobs and the future of communities all across our nation. As a member of the Senate Commerce and Appropriations committees, I will continue to push the federal government to work with states and communities to meet the real 21st century needs of our nation and our state.”
Background
Senate Democrats’
jobs and infrastructure plan
would make a historic $1 trillion federal investment to modernize our crumbling infrastructure and create more than 15 million jobs. Further, it includes provisions that would help ensure that corporations buy American products, such as iron or steel, and create jobs here in America – not abroad. The plan also includes over $10 billion in
investments for Indian Country
– redoubling our commitment to Native communities with major investments in schools, health care facilities, safe and affordable housing, electricity and water infrastructure, and broadband on Tribal lands.
Democrats are proposing to pay responsibly for this $1 trillion investment into our country’s infrastructure by bringing the top tax rate back for the top one percent of income earners making more than $500,000 per year; closing tax loopholes by restoring the individual alternative minimum tax (AMT); reinstating the estate and gift tax thresholds; closing the carried interest loophole; and raising the corporate tax rate to 25 percent.
