2021 Infrastructure Bill

[jis]

Discussions are starting in right earnest for the 2021 Infrastructure Bill, the much promised bill that might contain many goodies for passenger rail and Amtrak

Biden meets with bipartisan senators to discuss potential infrastructure bill

President Biden met with bipartisan senators on Thursday to discuss the contours of a potential infrastructure package, warning that if the U.S. does not invest in the issue, China is "going to eat our lunch."

thehill.com

 

[MIRAILFAN]

The bill needs to be audited for pork and riders, but otherwise yes it needs to pass. Infrastructure is critical.

 

[John Bredin]

The bill needs to be audited for pork.

Just as soon as any two people can agree what IS pork.

Some rural people think money for urban transit is pork. Some people outside the Northeast Corridor think money for the NEC is pork, while some people on the NEC or other corridor-heavy areas think money for long-distance trains is pork. Meanwhile, anti-rail people who don't blink at billions for highways and airports think any money for rail is pork.

 

[MIRAILFAN]

Agreed. I''m talking pork like stuff that has nothing to do with infrastructure.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Agreed. I''m talking pork like stuff that has nothing to do with infrastructure.

Examples please!!!

 

[20th Century Rider]

Examples please!!!

Dear Jim and Friends on AU,

I do believe that there will be positive momentum for our Passenger Rail Network Amtrak after some very urgent matters are behind us. We need to get past the pandemic... which our government is now focusing on. We need to rebuild the economy after the financial devastation and incapacitation caused by the pandemic; and questionable actions of the previous administration... and then get on to rebuilding America. For sure Texas has shown us the immense priority needs for environmentally friendly and renewable energy.

Our rail system will be the centerpiece of a rebuilding of our national transportation system to a more environmentally friendly network; and a way to move people long distances with minimal impact on the environment.

This country has been negligent while prior leaders have been hell bent on narcissism and personal greed. There are enough good people in this nation... and the present government that wants to point our direction towards financial responsibility and environmental respect... to move us in a path forward that will benefit all of us.

The examples are in our minds and hearts. Those of us on this forum are focused in a passionate way... upon our passenger rail system. Beyond the enjoyment of travel that respects the historic and natural beauty of America... we represent a wholesome perspective on the enjoyment of our country and its natural assets... in a responsible way.

Let's get the government... the 2021 infrastructure bill... and the folks who represent us... to act in a responsible way so we can enjoy our precious moments on earth in this fine country with guilt free living.

Thank you Jim... with the inspiration you give us all for saying what needs to be said. Let us passionate RR fans be a testament to what responsible living is all about!

 

[MIRAILFAN]

Examples please!!!

like i n the covid relief bill when someone added gender studies for Pakistan.

 

[MARC Rider]

The bill needs to be audited for pork and riders, but otherwise yes it needs to pass. Infrastructure is critical.

Hey, if a little pork is needed to get the bill passed, than I hereby declare it kosher!

 

[jis]

like i n the covid relief bill when someone added gender studies for Pakistan.

Your example is a poor one and mostly incorrect.

The Bill you refer to was a combined COVID Relief and 2021 Appropriation Bill. The Pakistan thing was in the State Department section of the 2021 Appropriation part dealing with Foreign Aid, and not in the COVID part. So sorry - fail! Come up with another example.

I am not suggesting that there are never inappropriate things stuck into bills. All I am saying is that this was not an example of one.

 

[Bob Dylan]

like i n the covid relief bill when someone added gender studies for Pakistan.

Rounding error, EVERY Spending Bill in our History has Pork in it, for example Mitch McConnell has sent Billions to Kentucky, as has every other Member of Congress and the Senate since George Washington first took the Oath of Office!

Every Single Federal Dollar spent is someone's Necessity and others Pork.

I agree " Studies" and " Special Interest" Riders are full of Pork, that's why Washington has many more Lobbyists than members of Congress!

Amtrak is "Pork" to lots of folks, especially so called " Conservatives".

 

[MARC Rider]

I once spent a week on the Hill as part of an executive development program for Federal scientists. On our first day we had a talk from a person who gave orientations to newly elected Members. She pointed out to us that one of their main interests was to get re-elected, and to do that, they had to pay very close attention to the needs of their districts and states. Obviously, sending $$$$ back home is a very effective way of doing that. I made the mistake of asking about how the balance their need to serve their local constituents with the need to consider the National interest. She laughed in my face. (Well, she was more polite than that, but the message I got was that the Members really do care more about their districts and states than they care about the Nation.)

 

[Bob Dylan]

I once spent a week on the Hill as part of an executive development program for Federal scientists. On our first day we had a talk from a person who gave orientations to newly elected Members. She pointed out to us that one of their main interests was to get re-elected, and to do that, they had to pay very close attention to the needs of their districts and states. Obviously, sending $$$$ back home is a very effective way of doing that. I made the mistake of asking about how the balance their need to serve their local constituents with the need to consider the National interest. She laughed in my face. (Well, she was more polite than that, but the message I got was that the Members really do care more about their districts and states than the care about the Nation.)

And that's the Rest of the True Story!

 

[20th Century Rider]

And that's the Rest of the True Story!

Yup... nothing's changed... it's all about votes, power, and money.

Soooo... who's looking out for the 'little people?'

 

[neroden]

I once spent a week on the Hill as part of an executive development program for Federal scientists. On our first day we had a talk from a person who gave orientations to newly elected Members. She pointed out to us that one of their main interests was to get re-elected, and to do that, they had to pay very close attention to the needs of their districts and states. Obviously, sending $$$$ back home is a very effective way of doing that. I made the mistake of asking about how the balance their need to serve their local constituents with the need to consider the National interest. She laughed in my face. (Well, she was more polite than that, but the message I got was that the Members really do care more about their districts and states than they care about the Nation.)

The correct answer to that question is, "What do your local constituents think is in the National interest?". Think about it for a minute and you'll see it...

Local districts will vote to support a Congressmember in doing something which materially hurts their district if *those voters* consider it in the national interest, but only if *those voters* think so. Some districts have more altruistic voters than others, and often they're altruistic only in very specific and targeted ways -- "Sure, we'd lose polluting jobs in this district, but my children who have already moved elsewhere will need a liveable climate". Or "Sure, we'd lose military contractor jobs in this district, but since my good friend who lives elsewhere got maimed in a stupid pointless war, I hate war and want to abolish the military, so I'm willing to take that." Other districts have voters who think the national interest is served by hurting people they don't like -- "I'm willing to cause a recession in my district in order to hurt Hollywood!!!" (Sigh.) So even when it's about the national interest, it's still about your local voters.