Dear Supporter,

The so-called bipartisan infrastructure compromise is being negotiated this week and it's shaping up in ways that are not good. T4America wrote to remind Congress and the White House of four things we must see in that deal.

There are just a handful of Senators determining what will be in this final package. Some are vocally committed to addressing climate change while simultaneously on the cusp of supporting huge new blank checks in this deal for new roads we can’t afford to maintain that will virtually guarantee huge increases in emissions.

We’re writing to you because you live in one of these 22 states below with a key Senator.

Can you call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your Senator’s office? (You'll need to repeat these steps if you live in AZ, DE, ME, NC, NH, OH, or WV!) It's surprisingly easy and will take just five minutes. Ask to speak to anyone working on the infrastructure deal. Here’s a short script you can use when you get to leave your message:

What’s happening with the deal?

Once in a blue moon it happens: Transportation has been the main topic on Capitol Hill in recent weeks, with the House-approved INVEST Act awaiting Senate action on a final long-term replacement for the current FAST Act.

This week, all eyes are upon the standalone bipartisan infrastructure deal. 

Here are FOUR things we need to see in any deal (in addition to nailing our three principles.)

Actually fix the roads and bridges this time

Here’s an idea: let’s actually require states to do this. No more using the rhetoric of  “repairing our crumbling roads and bridges” to score new money while placing no priority on repair with that money. It’s time to shut off the money spigot for new roads we definitely can't afford to maintain that don't create enough new value to cover their short- or long-term costs.

Commit to transit like we once did with highways

Let’s make the same kind of financial commitment to transit we made at the federal level with the advent of the interstate highway system. Increase transit funding to the level of highways and fund transit operations to provide more buses, more trains, in more places, serving more people. 

Address inequities in our communities

It’s high time to redress wrongs of past and present by providing money to remove highway infrastructure that divides communities and restore the damage that was wrought.

Design and invest in safety for all users

Our existing methods of designing and building streets are inherently unsafe and prioritize vehicle speed over safety. This deal absolutely cannot pour new money into this same old broken system of deadly street design. No more lip service on safety while continuing to produce dangerous streets.

Thanks for your help,

Transportation for America

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