The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington DC 20510
The Honorable Charles Schumer
Democratic Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. President, Madam Speaker, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Democratic Leader Schumer:
Americans have suffered under the weight of our nation’s aging, failing infrastructure for far too long. Rebuilding and modernizing our nation’s infrastructure will benefit every citizen, and it will make every community safer, more resilient, and more secure. It will create good jobs, boost productivity, sharpen our nation’s competitive edge, and ensure our current and future economic success.
Over the years, business and labor have not always seen eye to eye. However, when it comes to rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, we are in lockstep. While disappointed the May 22 White House meeting did not lead to a substantive discussion on infrastructure investment solutions, we remain encouraged by the progress that has been made to fix our country’s failing infrastructure, and remain committed to getting the job done for American families, workers, and businesses.
That is why business and labor groups have come together and proposed a funding solution: raising the federal gas tax. Democrats and Republicans in blue, red, and purple states across the country have already taken this action, increasing their state gas taxes to finance their share of much-needed infrastructure improvement.
Infrastructure, especially our nation’s roads, bridges, and transit systems, is
a shared responsibility between the states and the federal government. States are doing their part. It is time elected leaders in Washington do the same.
The federal gas tax has not been increased since 1993. Its value has been eroded by inflation and greater fuel efficiency even as our infrastructure needs grow. As a result, the federal government is currently spending more from the highway and transit trust funds than it’s collecting in revenue,
quickly spending down our reserves. If policymakers fail to find additional revenue soon, federal infrastructure spending in each state will be cut.
To see an illustration of the potential impact across the country, please find here a state-by-state impact analysis on the effects of inaction versus a federal gas tax increase.
Every day, the cost of federal inaction grows. As representatives for millions of American businesses and workers who are counting on you to rebuild our infrastructure and grow our economy, we urge you to immediately resume discussions on America’s failing infrastructure and take legislative action this year. The time to act is now.
Sincerely,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
AFL-CIO
American Coatings Association, Inc.
American Concrete Pipe Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Public Transportation Association
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Trucking Associations
Associated Builders & Contractors of Southeast Texas
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated General Contractors of America
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Employers Group
Far West Equipment Dealers Association
Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association (FEDA)
Household & Commercial Products Association
Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
International Union of Operating Engineers
International Warehouse Logistics Association
LiUNA
National Asphalt Pavement Association
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
National Association of Surety Bond Producers
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Concrete Masonry Association
National Industrial Transportation League
National Lime Association
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
National Stone Sand and Gravel Association
North America's Building Trades Unions
NW Illinois Economic Development
Outdoor Amusement Business Association
Portland Cement Association
The Toy Association
Transportation Intermediaries Association
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
United Service Association For Health Care
Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association
