Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today voted for a bipartisan bill to invest $305 billion in transportation projects for the next five years.

“Our nation’s infrastructure is facing a breaking point. We saw first-hand how a collapsed bridge in Skagit County impacted our local economies, which is why we must fix our infrastructure now, before it’s more expensive to maintain in the future,” DelBene said. “I’m glad Congress has finally prioritized funds to fix our crumbling infrastructure and provide states the certainty needed to begin long-term projects. This is a smart investment that will yield great returns.”

During House consideration, DelBene added an amendment to the transportation bill that ensures the Frontline Workforce Development Program is effectively evaluated and policy recommendations are generated to improve the program. Often referred to as the Ladders of Opportunity Initiative, the program provides grants to train and recruit underrepresented populations for a career path in transit maintenance and operations.

The bill also included a four-year reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.

“The Export-Import Bank helps connect our businesses with consumers around the world and now they will have the certainty of financial assistance for four years,” DelBene said. “It was inexcusable that House leadership allowed this vital program to expire for more than five months, leaving thousands of American businesses and workers at a competitive disadvantage on the global stage.”

This is the first long-term transportation investment passed since 2005 that would fund projects for more than two years. Earlier this year, Congress passed short-term measures to avoid defunding current transportation projects.

The bill now heads to the Senate for further action.

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