Industry groups (mostly) praise Senate passage of infrastructure bill

WASHINGTON — The United Steelworkers (USW) union, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) all praised the Senate's passage of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill on August 10, calling it a victory for the country and bipartisanship.

But Tire Industry Association CEO Roy Littlefield took a more cautious approach, saying that while TIA usually supports infrastructure bills, "we are reserving judgment on it."

The legislation passed with a 69-30 vote, with 19 Republicans joining 50 Democrats.

"The men and women who carry this economy on trucks thank those senators who had the courage to bridge the partisan divide, putting the interests of our nation above politics," ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said in a statement. "For nearly three decades, our nation and industry have been held hostage by empty promises — all talk, no action. Today, the Senate put America ahead of itself."

The 2,700-page bill proposes nearly $550 billion in new infrastructure spending over five years, in addition to current federal authorizations for public works. Because the legislation does not include any taxes or funding proposals, and because it is loaded with amendments, Mr. Littlefield said it "will take time to read and digest."

"Before taking any positions on it, we must do our due diligence to make sure we are not supporting taxes, funding mechanisms or amendments that the Association would find detrimental to our members and the industry," he said. "We are happy that a bill is progressing. Now we have to make it the best possible bill."

USW International President Tom Conway said the nation's infrastructure "is long past due for significant upgrades," and called the bill "an important step toward both making our communities more secure and creating millions of good, family-sustaining jobs."

"Passage of this bipartisan infrastructure bill is a groundbreaking step toward revitalizing America's decaying roads and bridges, supporting our supply chain and economy with the foundation they need to grow, compete globally and lead the world," said Mr. Spear, whose trade association is the nation's largest for the trucking industry. "The bill also contains significant measures to grow and strengthen trucking's essential workforce."

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in a number of industries, including tire and rubber.

"USW members from across every corner of our union already provide the essential building blocks of a modern infrastructure, from the steel that goes into our bridges, to the pipes that carry our water, to the fiber optic glass that keeps us connected and much more," Mr. Conway said. "A comprehensive infrastructure investment that draws on the goods and services American workers supply will promote widespread job growth and economic opportunity. USW members and their families will further benefit from this investment as their workplaces and communities become safer and more efficient."

The bill moves on to the House, which does not return from recess until Sept. 20. In the meantime, majority leader Sen. Chuck Schumer will turn to a budget resolution that would allow Democrats to pass a $3.5 trillion spending plan without Republican votes.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House will not vote on the bill or the spending plan until the Senate passes both.

"As this bill moves to the U.S. House, we cannot let the momentum falter," Mr. Conway said. "We urge Congress to continue working together in overhauling both our physical and social infrastructures until they finally meet our modern needs."

The USTMA, which has supported the negotiations for months, praised the release of the final package for its inclusion of research provisions that would advance scrap tire markets. The USTMA called on the House to act on the package "without delay."

"Congress cannot let this opportunity pass to make a generational investment in our nation's infrastructure," said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. "The economic, societal and environmental merits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act speak for themselves, and Members of Congress should evaluate and vote on the bill based on those facts alone. It is my hope – and that of all members of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association – that the House swiftly passes this package."