President Trump’s now infamous “infrastructure week” may finally get a kick in the ground … during the Biden administration.
Why it matters: If majority leader Mitch McConnell retains control of the Senate, a bill to fund all kinds of public construction projects could be one of the few major pieces of legislation that President-elect Joe Biden can realistically achieve within a divided government, given the broad, bipartisan support. .
What we hear: The president-elect’s transition team has started privately laying the groundwork for concluding a bipartisan infrastructure deal during the first year of his tenure.
- The team has informed business leaders that it sees an opening to use it as a driver for more economic and work relief as the US emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
Driving the news: Business and union leaders – currently concerned about whether Congress can regulate its work to adopt a coronavirus aid package – are drooling over the potential of a secondary form of stimulus to boost economic growth.
- Neil Bradley, Chief Policy Officer at the US Chamber of Commerce, tells me: “We have certainly had discussions with them … They are extremely interested in pursuing an infrastructure package, as are the Chamber and the business community.”
- He added, “Of all the issues out there, this one could form one of the broadest coalitions possible to get something through Congress.”
Biden announced Wednesday he taps former mayor Pete Buttigieg to head the Department of Transportation.
- He is a rising star in the Democratic Party and Biden’s team was looking for a substantive role for him in government.
- The starting point of a major infrastructure deal – also seen as an opportunity to invest in climate change, 5G technology and disadvantaged communities – ticks that box well.
Yes but: Washington officials still have PTSD from President Trump’s regular – but unfulfilled – speech about an upcoming “infrastructure week.” It was promised several times over the past four years, but went off the rails for a recurring reason: who pays the bill?
- Many Republicans – resuming their position as deficit hawks now that Trump is on his way – are loath to agree to another trillion dollar deal after passing a massive stimulus bill at the start of the pandemic, and on the eve of a second now.
- Democrats didn’t feel that reluctance and wanted to make sure that all spending was on top of funding for middle-class programs like education and health.
Be smart: Bradley says, “We will never be able to address the underlying debt and deficits if we don’t accelerate growth.”