U.S. transport chief to testify on Biden infrastructure push

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will testify before a key U.S. House panel on the Biden administration’s infrastructure push on March 25.

Peter DeFazio, the House, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee chairman said that Buttigieg will testify as lawmakers are working on a “transformational surface transportation reauthorization legislation”.

President Joe Biden, as a part of his campaign, pledged to invest $2 trillion in fixing highways, bridges, and airports; building climate-resilient homes; wiring cities for broadband internet; encouraging the manufacturing of fuel-efficient cars and installing 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations.

However, Biden has not offered a specific plan for what he plans to seek from Congress. Democrats aim to use an infrastructure bill to cut emissions and boost green transportation, while Republicans are critical.

On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi directed key Democratic lawmakers to begin working with Republicans on an infrastructure package. One big question remains how to pay for a massive boost in spending.

Biden has pledged not to raise taxes on families making less than $400,000.

Since 2008, Congress has transferred about $141 billion to the Highway Trust Fund.