Rep. Scholten Leads Bipartisan Effort to Make Roads Safer for Kids, Strengthen Rural Infrastructure, and Support American Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of the surface transportation reauthorization process, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced a package of bipartisan bills designed to make communities safer, grow local economies, and strengthen American manufacturing.
“Infrastructure is about so much more than roads and bridges–it’s about the safety of our kids, the strength of our small towns, and the future of American industry,” said Rep. Scholten. “These bipartisan bills tackle these priorities head-on by making it safer for children to commute to school, ensuring rural communities get the resources they need to grow, and keeping taxpayer dollars invested in American manufacturing.”
Rep. Scholten and Rep. Tony Wied introduced the bipartisan RURAL Growth Act (R-WI-08), to ensure that rural towns and small communities are not left behind when federal infrastructure dollars are distributed. Too often, funding is absorbed by large cities when routed through state departments of transportation. This bill would reserve 30 percent of Rural Surface Transportation Grant funding specifically for communities with populations between 10,000 and 75,000–towns that are critical to America’s economy and culture but frequently do not receive their fair share in federal programs. This measure ensures places like those in Michigan, Wisconsin, and across the country get their fair share to improve roads, bridges, and other essential infrastructure.
“Small towns in rural America have too often been overlooked when federal infrastructure dollars are distributed,” said Rep. Wied. “I am proud to stand with Congresswoman Scholten to ensure that we preserve federal dollars for communities with smaller populations. It should not matter if you live in a large city or a small town, everyone in the United States deserves to have access to safe and strong infrastructure.”
Rep. Scholten and Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI-07)’s bipartisan Paving the Way for American Industry Act strengthens domestic manufacturing by requiring that pigments used in road markings qualify as “constructed materials” under the Build America, Buy America Act. Currently, 96 percent of the yellow pigment used on U.S. highways is imported from countries like China and India. By ensuring these materials are made in America, this bill keeps taxpayer dollars at home, supports domestic manufacturing, and protects good-paying jobs here in Michigan and across the country.
“If we are serious about rebuilding America's infrastructure, we need to start with rebuilding American manufacturing,” said Rep. Barrett. “This common-sense bill ensures that taxpayer dollars are reinvested in American jobs and not sent overseas. Introducing it today is a critical step toward strengthening our supply chains, supporting Michigan workers, and keeping our roads safe and clearly marked.”
Earlier this week, Rep. Scholten introduced the bipartisan Kids on the Go Act, co-led with Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08), to strengthen the popular Safe Routes to School program, which helps ensure that children can safely walk and bike to school. Michigan and Pennsylvania are national leaders in the Safe Routes to School program, making this bill a direct investment in the safety and well-being of children in both representatives’ districts. The bill will also make it possible for more states across the country to follow that lead.
“The Safe Routes to School Program is a worthwhile approach to keeping our children and their communities safe,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “I’m proud to introduce the Kids on the Go Act with my colleague Rep. Scholten. This bipartisan legislation is an investment in the children of Northeastern Pennsylvania by incentivizing safe bike paths and walking routes to improve the safety of our neighborhoods.”
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