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TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND INNOVATION ACT FOR AIRPORTS
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HON. JOHN GARAMENDI
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, today I introduce the ``Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act for Airports,'' with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). I want to thank Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX36), Coner Lamb (D-PA 17), Julia Brownley (D-CA26), and Adam B. Schiff (D-CA28) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) for their support as original cosponsors.
The country that invented air travel should not have to look to other countries' airports with envy. Congress must invest in modernizing our nation's airports to better meet the traveling public's needs and address public health concerns like coronavirus. Now more than ever, Americans deserve airports that are as efficient, safe, and clean as possible.
In its most recent annual report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave our nation's airports and related civilian aviation infrastructure a ``D+'' grade, requiring more than in $237 billion in total capital improvements over the next 10 years. The ``Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act for Airports'' is a good first step, unlocking approximately $2 billion in federal financing available as of fiscal year 2020 for airport modernization projects, including climate resilience projects.
Roadway and transit projects eligible under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) are already subject to ``Buy America'' requirements. Our bicameral, bipartisan bill for this Congress incorporates the key provision from my ``TIFIA for Airports Act'' (H.R. 7523) last Congress applying the very same ``Buy America'' requirements for FAA Airport Improvement Grants (49 USC 50101) to any airport project financed under TIFIA.
Madam Speaker, I urge all members to cosponsor the ``Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act for Airports.'' As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I plan to make this a major priority in my work.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 87
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