Republicans, Democrats To Reach Across The Aisle On Infrastructure
Next year Republicans will control the Senate, while Democrats the House—but will anything be accomplished? Industry experts say both parties need to find common ground to tout success, and infrastructure might be their golden ticket.
“It’s really one of those rare opportunities, perhaps the best opportunity to do something in a bipartisan manner,” Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition told Clinton Griffiths on AgriTalk. “We think that it’s very encouraging when you hear both leader Pelosi and McConnell (on the Senate side), both identify infrastructure as one of those opportunities.”
Infrastructure has been an issue that seems to just keep getting put on the back burner, he adds. He thinks something will get done now—and ag needs to have a seat at the table.
“The temptation is for urban perspective to dominate and overwhelm, and while that’s important, we also need to talk about the challenges of moving freight, including agricultural freight,” Steenhoek said. “We are really keen on implementing dredging the lower Mississippi, a big launching point for the international marketplace that’ll make us so much more competitive; maintaining and improving our locks and dams; and allowing semis with a sixth axel to be loaded with 91,000 lbs. versus the traditional 80,000 lbs.”
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“It’s really one of those rare opportunities, perhaps the best opportunity to do something in a bipartisan manner,” Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition told Clinton Griffiths on AgriTalk. “We think that it’s very encouraging when you hear both leader Pelosi and McConnell (on the Senate side), both identify infrastructure as one of those opportunities.”
Infrastructure has been an issue that seems to just keep getting put on the back burner, he adds. He thinks something will get done now—and ag needs to have a seat at the table.
“The temptation is for urban perspective to dominate and overwhelm, and while that’s important, we also need to talk about the challenges of moving freight, including agricultural freight,” Steenhoek said. “We are really keen on implementing dredging the lower Mississippi, a big launching point for the international marketplace that’ll make us so much more competitive; maintaining and improving our locks and dams; and allowing semis with a sixth axel to be loaded with 91,000 lbs. versus the traditional 80,000 lbs.”
Click Here to read more.