Dems' reconciliation bill has $6B transportation 'slush fund' that GOP aide warns could fund backdoor earmarks
Transportation Committee Chair Peter DeFazio's section of the bill includes $6 billion for Buttigieg to spend on undefined 'local surface transportation priorities'
By Tyler Olson FOXBusiness
Democrats' reconciliation bill includes a $6 billion fund that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg would be able to allocate entirely at his own discretion, an arrangement at least one Senate GOP aide says could function as a backdoor way to fund earmarks.
Section 110008 in the 2465-page bill released Friday sets aside $6 billion for "projects to advance local surface transportation priorities." It was produced by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.
DeFazio notably wrote the INVEST Act, which was the House's version of an infrastructure bill that it passed earlier this year. But Senate moderates essentially tossed all of DeFazio's work from the INVEST Act and replaced it with their preferred legislation, which became the bipartisan infrastructure bill that is set for a potential House vote Monday.
The Senate's disregard for the INVEST Act upset DeFazio, who has not been shy about his distaste for the bipartisan bill.
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https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/reconciliation-6-billion-slush-fund-transit-earmarks
