U.S. Chamber (of Commerce) President Calls Improving Infrastructure a Top 5 Priority

Rebuilding America’s infrastructure continues to be one of the business community’s top five priorities this year, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue said Thursday in his annual State of American Business address.Donohue also outlined four other key topics that the chamber will address in 2012, its centennial year, to boost America’s competitiveness in the global economy: producing American energy; expanding trade, investment, and tourism; advancing regulatory and legal reforms; and developing an innovation agenda.

“Expanding our energy infrastructure is just one part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s entire physical platform,” he said in prepared remarks. “Congress has until Jan. 31 to finish the FAA reauthorization, which has been delayed for more than four years. A new NextGen air-traffic-control system must be a top priority. It will ease delays, conserve fuel, create jobs, and save lives. Lawmakers also need to pass legislation to maintain investment in our roads, bridges, and transit systems.”

Donohue noted that federal surface transportation authorization is scheduled to expire March 31.

“If Congress doesn’t act, the Highway Trust Fund would be cut a minimum of 35% by this fall, putting thousands out of work,” he warned. “And let me make this clear — every piece of infrastructure legislation should include reforms to speed up projects and encourage public-private partnerships and the use of private capital.”

Full text of Donohue’s speech is available at bit.ly/USCC011212 and a video of his address is available at www.uschamber.com/sab.