TPA Letter Asks Congress to Oppose the Infrastructure Bill

Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) sent a letter to Congress urging Members to oppose H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, that would exacerbate the nation’s spending woes and do little to address infrastructure needs. 

The full letter can be found here and below.

September 30, 2021

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC, 20515

Dear Representative,

On behalf of the millions of taxpayers and consumers we represent, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) asks members of Congress to oppose H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). This bill, known commonly as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, would exacerbate the nation’s spending woes while doing very little to address actual infrastructure needs.

As Congress considers this $1.2 trillion legislation, the nation is less than three weeks away from defaulting on its debt obligations. Congress should be working to address this issue and cut spending, instead of ushering through another massive expenditure.

Despite being labeled an “infrastructure” bill, highways, bridges, and tunnels only account for $127 billion of the $1.2 trillion package. That is only 10 percent of the overall package. The rest can reasonably be described as a down payment on the “Green New Deal” and a vast expansion of the power of the federal government.

The bill is also a boondoggle for special interests. In particular, the electric vehicle industry continues to receive billions. Despite the exorbitant amounts already offered to it through subsidies and tax credits, studies show only affluent Americans purchase these vehicles and take advantage of the tax benefits. This industry should be able to stand on its own by now. There is no reason to believe $15 billion more will change that. Further, mining the raw materials needed to build charging stations will probably counteract the environmental benefits of the cars themselves.

If this package is passed, the federal government will have broad discretion over areas typically left to state, local, or private actors. The Department of Energy gets a $20 billion check to play investor on the taxpayer dime. The agency will have broad authority to distribute money to clean energy companies to give them a kickstart. This is a venture the agency has already undertaken and failed quite miserably. Yet, lawmakers seem to think more money will turn its track record around.

The legislation will also give the federal government broad authority to set rules governing drinking water. Its $65 billion to build high-speed internet opens the door to let the government work its way into private sector enterprises. Historically, government involvement in broadband has been a colossal failure, with taxpayers left holding the bag.

This legislation’s counterpart, the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, is being used for social welfare agenda items. A number of members of Congress have overtly stated their desire that one not be passed without the other and their intention to vote accordingly. As such, the true price tag of passing this infrastructure package is likely $4.7 trillion.

This new spending is irresponsible considering the nation’s current fiscal state. Inflation is at levels not seen since the recession of 2008. Reckless government spending is devaluing the hard-earned paychecks of every single American. The solution is not another $4.7 trillion in spending. In fact, this would only exacerbate the problem. Inflation, because of its erosive effect on the value of the dollar, is a tax on the American people. Continued spending like this would violate the administration’s pledge not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 per year. No lawmaker on either side of the aisle should be part of this breach of trust.

It is for these reasons – among so many others – that we urge you to oppose the H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Sincerely,

David Williams

President