Senate Commerce Committee Republicans are concerned about the Biden administration’s allocation of taxpayer funds to what they term “woke initiatives” in infrastructure projects.
They argue that these initiatives prioritize “equity” and “climate change” over essential infrastructure development.
“Billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars meant for infrastructure projects are tied to woke initiatives that are more focused on dismantling America’s infrastructure in the name of ‘equity’ and ‘climate change’ than building roads, bridges, and highways to connect the country,” the memo reads.
“Congress must not allow the Department of Transportation to push the absurd concept of ‘racist roads’ to prevent Americans from getting much-needed improvements to their highways,” it added.
“The funding notices issued by DOT should focus on the law as written, not woke priorities.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s programs require grant recipients to address equity and climate concerns, which has raised objections from Republicans.
“Projects that have not sufficiently considered equity and barriers to opportunity in their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction,” the DOT’s NOFO states.
“Projects that have not sufficiently considered climate change and environmental justice in their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction.”
“Taken together, these additions, which severely deviate from the criteria in law, will favor states seeking to expand mass transit and bike paths over states wanting to build roads. The added requirements on grant agreements, which are necessary for money to be paid after awards are announced, are particularly pernicious,” the memo adds.
“The DOT funding notice guarantees that applicants will not get construction funds unless they embrace the administration’s extreme views on climate and equity.”
Senator Ted Cruz plans to introduce legislation to challenge these policies, citing concerns about favoring mass transit and bike paths over road construction.
“There is racism physically built into some of our highways, and that’s why the jobs plan has specifically committed to reconnect some of the communities that were divided by these dollars,” Buttigieg argued.
“Transportation can connect us to jobs, services and loved ones, but we‘ve also seen countless cases around the country where a piece of infrastructure cuts off a neighborhood or a community because of how it was built.”
“But we can’t ignore the basic truth that some of the planners and politicians behind those projects built them directly through the heart of vibrant, populated, communities — sometimes in an effort to reinforce segregation,” he said.
“Sometimes because the people there had less power to resist. And sometimes as part of a direct effort to replace or eliminate Black neighborhoods.”
Most Popular:
Democrat Says The Unthinkable About Trump On Live TV
Dad Strips Down To Crop Top To Protest School Dress Code
Trump Gets Another Big Endorsement
