Billions of taxpayer cash for equitable roads? Senate GOP members say not so fast…
According to a Fox News report, an internal memorandum circulated among lawmakers by Senate Commerce Committee Republicans is sounding the alarm on billions in taxpayer cash flagged for woke “equity” initiatives by the Department of Transportation.
Commerce Committee Ranking Member Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is planning on introducing legislation to stop the funds from being wasted on woke left-wing priorities.
“Billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars meant for infrastructure projects are tied to woke initiatives that are more focused on dismantling America’s infrastructure in the name of ‘equity’ and ‘climate change’ than building roads, bridges, and highways to connect the country,” the memo states.
“Congress must not allow the Department of Transportation to push the absurd concept of ‘racist roads’ to prevent Americans from getting much-needed improvements to their highways,” it continued. “The funding notices issued by DOT should focus on the law as written, not woke priorities.”
Earlier this year, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg started taking applications for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA), and Rural Surface Transportation Grant programs —programs that received a combined $5.6 billion dollars from Biden’s Infrastructure Act.
But recipients after a share of Buttigieg’s billions have to show woke intent.
“Projects that have not sufficiently considered equity and barriers to opportunity in their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction,” the DOT’s NOFO states.
“Projects that have not sufficiently considered climate change and environmental justice in their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction,” the document adds
Equity, climate change and environmental justice wrapped up in one boondoggle —an impressive waste of taxpayer cash.