Senators Propose Bill to Improve Nation’s Infrastructure

Three U.S. Senators have introduced a bill to establish a National Commission on Infrastructure of the United States. The bill, announced by Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Thomas Carper (D-Del.), and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), would charge the commission with aiding in the nation’s economic growth and ensuring the ability of the country’s infrastructure to meet current and future demands.

In addition, the bill would: Call for the completion of a study by February 2009 that will address all matters relating to the state of the nation’s infrastructure; recommend a federal plan for outlining infrastructure priorities; and mandate a report to Congress detailing infrastructure legislation deemed necessary for the next five, 15, 30, and 50 years.

&quotOur nation’s economic strength throughout history has been inexorably linked to the investments made in our public infrastructure,&quot said Sen. Clinton. &quotFrom the Transcontinental Railroad to the National Highway System, the public sector’s investments in our roads, our waterways, our railways, and our aviation systems have defined the bedrock strengths of the American economy and its people.&quot