BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Congressman Brian Higgins believes the backroom infrastructure deal reportedly made last week in Washington D.C. does not go far enough.
A bipartisan group of senators are planning an infrastructure deal with $579 billion in new spending as negotiators try to strike a nearly $1 trillion deal on President Joe Biden's top priority, according to those briefed on the plan. The group of senators, five republicans and five democrats, have been working behind closed doors with the plan to not include any tax increases.
"The American Society of Civil Engineers has put the need at $4.6 trillion just to bring our infrastructure to a state of good-repair," Higgins said. "$1 trillion doesn't do it. It amazes me that four years ago when there was debate about corporate tax cut of $1.9 trillion that wasn't paid for, there's such an emphasis today on a pay-for. You know what the pay-for for infrastructure is? The growth of the economy...For every dollar you spend on infrastructure, you grow the economy by $3.70."
Higgins, who has long-advocated for infrastructure upgrades, argued that America has spent more $6.5 trillion in Afghanistan over the past 20 years.
"All that was deficit was financed," Higgins said. "We need to do a bill. We need to put people to work. We need to make the American economy function much more effectively."
Higgins warned that by not investing in infrastructure, more bridges will be structurally deficient and are at risk of collapse. He also criticized lawmakers for not being tough on themselves while proclaiming to be tough on China.
"You know what China is doing that we're not? They're investing in the growth of their economy," Higgins said. "It's no longer about toys and t-shirts. That was the trade stuff that was on the table 40 years ago. IT's now about technology, pharmaceuticals, semi-conductors, it's artificial intelligence, electric vehicles. $1 trillion doesn't give you what you need to make its economy work better for the American people but on a global stage as well."
