Voters Say Federal Investment Would Create Jobs, Help American Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Voters want the federal government to invest more in the nation’s transportation infrastructure, believe those investments would create jobs and help American businesses, and want Congress to move forward now with an infrastructure package, according to a new survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce conducted by Morning Consult and released today at the opening of Infrastructure Week 2017.
The survey shows broad agreement among voters that infrastructure matters to the economy, to the U.S. workforce, and to Americans’ daily life. Seventy-two percent of those polled said the U.S. should invest more in transportation infrastructure, and 73 percent said the federal government should take the lead role. Respondents indicated that investment in transportation infrastructure would help strengthen the economy; 74 percent said it would create jobs, and 70 percent said it would help American businesses. And voters agree the time for infrastructure investment is now; 64 percent of respondents said they want Congress to move forward with an infrastructure package, and the sentiment held true across party affiliations.
“These figures echo a refrain the business community has been singing for years: investing in infrastructure is worth it,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “America has a world-class economy with world-class businesses, and we should have world-class infrastructure to match. It all comes back to economic growth. Now that consensus is emerging around this effort, we can’t let the hard work of governing get in the way of maintaining and building the infrastructure that keeps American business booming.”
Infrastructure Week 2017 kicked off today with an event at the U.S. Chamber’s headquarters, which featured a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. The U.S. Chamber is a member of the Infrastructure Week steering committee.
The U.S. Chamber has long been supportive of efforts to repair, rebuild, and invest in America’s infrastructure. Its Executive Director for Transportation Infrastructure, Ed Mortimer, recently testified before Congress, outlining the business community’s priorities for a future legislative effort to improve the system.
“We’re on the verge of a unique and historic opportunity to make meaningful progress toward rebuilding America’s infrastructure, but it’s important that we do it right,” said Mortimer. “It’s about more than just finding the money. It’s about putting that money to work – and wisely. This survey shows voters are willing to invest, so it’s time for our federal leaders to hear these messages and get to work bringing America’s infrastructure up to speed.”
Morning Consult conducted the online survey of 1,996 registered voters from May 4 – 6, 2017. Full results, including state-level data, are available at letsrebuildamerica.com.
