House Infrastructure Bill Being Considered This Week

The INVEST in America ACT, an infrastructure bill introduced by Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio, is currently being considered in the House of Representatives.

4th District Representative Dan Newhouse said that every year the House comes up with an infrastructure package that is most of the time a bipartisan effort. However, this year he feels the bill has too much of a New Green Deal feel.

"I'm struggling with the bill because in large part if focuses very heavily on urban areas and leaves rural areas, which Central Washington is largely, out of being the recipients of any large amounts of assistance," explained Newhouse.

Included in the INVEST in America Act is the establishment of a rebuild rural grant program to "improve the safety, state of good repair, and connectivity of transportation infrastructure in rural communities."

The bill also directs the DOT to establish a pilot program to demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee to restore and maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

More information on the bill can be found here.