Chairman Graves Statement on the State of the Union

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) statement following the President’s State of the Union address:

“Although the President talked about the success of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the fact remains that too much of the money provided in the bill is not getting to our states and communities because of the federal bureaucracy, convoluted and confusing grant processes, and the Administration’s prioritization of climate, equity, and environmental justice over effective improvements to the Nation’s infrastructure network and supply chain. Inflation has driven up the cost of everything, including construction costs and energy rates, so now more than ever, we need to ensure that available infrastructure resources are used in the most cost-effective manner possible. I urge the President and Democratic leadership to work with Republicans to move our various initiatives to streamline energy and infrastructure projects – from H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to the commonsense permitting clarifications provided in the Committee’s Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act.

“We also can’t ignore the President’s failed immigration policies, the impacts of which have threatened international commerce, our supply chain, and our transportation system. Twice in recent months, Customs and Border Protection was forced to close major freight railroad routes at the border due to illegal activities and safety concerns. These closures caused supply chain delays that negatively impacted major American economic sectors, including the agriculture, industrial, and automotive industries. Sadly, this is just one example of the chaos caused by the Biden border crisis. It is well past time for the President to get this crisis under control.”