Governors call on Congress to pass infrastructure package

National Governors Association (NGA) Chairman Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Vice Chairman Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey this week urged Congress to reach an agreement on a proposed framework that would provide $579 billion in infrastructure investments.

"On behalf of the National Governors Association, we are pleased that senators of both parties have come to an agreement on a framework for funding critical infrastructure investments," Hutchinson and Murphy said in a prepared statement. "We urge Congress to capitalize on this rare bipartisan agreement to deliver a transformative infrastructure bill to the American people."

Hutchinson and Murphy encouraged the negotiators to consider the NGA's Principles for National Infrastructure Investment.

"We stand ready to work with Congress on this critical proposal and urge continued bipartisan momentum while taking action to deliver needed infrastructure funding," the governors said.

The Senate continues to negotiate on the bipartisan infrastructure framework and the proposed surface transportation authorization bill. Although the bipartisan group of 22 senators has resolved many issues, neither the bipartisan group nor Senate Banking Committee leaders has reached agreement on public transit authorization issues, according to a "Legislative Alert" issued yesterday by the American Public Transportation Association.