Screen shot.During last week’s State of the Union address, President Trump asked Congress to pass legislation to boost the nation’s aging infrastructure. Congressional leaders have long stressed that infrastructure is something that both sides of the aisle would be willing to work together on with the President.
National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) president and CEO Audrey Copeland released the following statement after the address:
“On behalf of the asphalt pavement industry, we strongly agree with the President that Congress must produce and consider an infrastructure package that provides substantial investment for rebuilding America’s highways and roads. Rebuilding our surface transportation infrastructure will improve the quality of life of every American, provide good-paying jobs in communities across the nation, and strengthen our national security and economy, as well as make our roads, highways, and bridges safer. It is time for Congress to roll up its sleeves and get to work on behalf of the American people by passing a surface transportation authorization bill that invests in infrastructure and strengthens America.”
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) president and CEO Michael Johnson also issued a response:
“The President encouraged Congress to set aside their politics and unite to repair bridges, roads and all of America’s outdated, overburdened and crumbling infrastructure. A collective commitment and bipartisan compromise are essential to finally making the much overdue and badly needed investment required if the U.S. is going to continue to be the strongest economy and the most secure nation in the world.
“NSSGA stands ready to work with those who understand that significant infrastructure investment is not just about restoring quality of life in the present but, equally if not more importantly, about insuring economic and national security for the future,” he continued. “Nations that would very much like to experience our prosperity, but do not necessarily share our values, are strategically investing in infrastructure in effort to gain a competitive advantage. The president and Congress must come together to do the same. The cost of continuing to do nothing is truly the only cost that is too much to bear.”
