U.S. Chamber Calls for Critical Investments in Transportation Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, testified today before a House of Representatives panel to push for investments in America's transportation infrastructure. This spending, he said, would provide a much-needed boost to the economy and spur job creation.

"Our country is in bad need of an economic recovery package and we believe investments in transportation infrastructure can provide immediate job creation and lasting economic benefits," Donohue said. "If we fail to make this a national priority and invest the time, energy and money our systems need, we will miss an opportunity to fuel economic recovery and solidify our competitive position in the world."

Speaking before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Donohue cautioned that neglecting our transportation infrastructure threatens America's competitive advantage in the global economy and risks falling behind countries such as China who have made significant improvements in recent years.

"Decades ago we built the best infrastructure the world has ever known and proceeded to take it for granted," he said. "We've allowed governments at all levels to pile on complex and overlapping regulations, making it exceedingly time-consuming to build or improve infrastructure in our country. Our lack of attention to these issues has real ramifications for our competitiveness and the health of our economy."

Donohue also warned that investments should not start and stop with the proposed economic stimulus package.

"It's imperative the federal government also look to infrastructure planning and investment as a way to facilitate long-term economic recovery and competiveness," he said. "If Congress and the new Administration simply stop with these preliminary efforts and avoid tackling larger federal programs and revenue issues through major reauthorization legislation, these early efforts will be greatly diminished in their efficacy."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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