- By Office of Congressman Tom Reed
- News
Washington, DC – The Problem Solvers Caucus released a new report Wednesday with bipartisan policy recommendations to build a 21st century infrastructure network for America. The forty-eight member bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, led by Co-Chairs Tom Reed (NY-23) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), launched an Infrastructure Working Group to find consensus on a bipartisan set of policies to serve as the bedrock for a plan that addresses the dire need to rebuild and responsibly invest in infrastructure across the United States.
"It's always better for the country when we act together. The bipartisan policy solutions we've delivered provide Congress the building blocks necessary to craft a comprehensive infrastructure plan that both parties can agree to," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Tom Reed. "We've paved a bipartisan path to get to 'yes' and look forward to working with key leaders in Congress to find the right mix of policies to create legislation that can, and should, be enacted into law as soon as possible."
The Infrastructure Working Group, co-chaired by Reps. John Katko (NY-24) and Elizabeth Esty (CT-05), met with over one hundred outside stakeholder organizations, the Administration, and leaders in Congress, to develop bipartisan concepts to move an infrastructure plan forward. These bipartisan policy options will be the foundation for a comprehensive plan to improve the nation's highways, roads and bridges, transit and railways, ports and airports, water and sewer systems, energy systems and the power grid, and broadband and communications networks.
"Today, one-third of the bridges and tunnels in New Jersey are considered unsafe, and we have the eighth worst roads in the country. Too many of our pipes are filled with lead; many of our residents have no access to broadband, at all," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer. "Commutes are a disaster, and it's ruining family time and crippling our economy. We can't keep kicking this problem down the road. Today's report details options for solving these problems, and it's a good bipartisan starting point. It's time to get a better ROI in New Jersey for our existing tax dollars. Under no circumstance can we increase gas taxes or tolls – or any taxes for that matter."
The Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group in Congress comprising of 48 members – equally divided between Democrats and Republicans – who are committed to forging bipartisan cooperation on key issues. It is co-chaired by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY).
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