The AFL-CIO and The Chamber of Commerce agree that it's time to spend money on infrastructure. It's "spending" to some, an "investment" to others, but the leading groups on both the side of capitol (Chamber) and labor (AFL), want to see this get done. So why wouldn't it get done?Well, because the House is run by an incompetent majority that loses some votes despite large majorities, and even broad agreement. Speaker Boehner and the boys think infrastructure investments are "evil spending," that is driving our national debt (note: they're not sane). Hence, i'm certain they will come out against this.
Will their members budge though? Despite the tremendous positive impact that high-speed rail from the Lehigh Valley to New York and Philadelphia would have, Lehigh Valley Congressman (mine) Charlie Dent opposes basically any investment in rail service to get anywhere. His district has a need for more major roads (anyone who's ever been on 22 at 5 pm can attest to that), with a fast-growing population and room for more development. Being as congested as the roads are here, can Dent actually afford to back his leadership, and go against his friends at the Chamber AND his constituents' needs? Would he dare to? If members like him walk in lock-step with Johnny Boehner and the boys, their home districts will suffer, and that would be a shame.
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