Trump calls for 'great rebuilding' of infrastructure, but doesn't offer any details

(Image credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

published 6 February 2019

During his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, President Trump called on both parties to "unite for a great rebuilding of America's crumbling infrastructure," but didn't go into any specifics.

"I know that the Congress is eager to pass an infrastructure bill — and I am eager to work with you on legislation to deliver new and important infrastructure investment, including investments in the cutting edge industries of the future," he said. "This is not an option. This is necessity."

Unlike during previous speeches to Congress, he did not give any dollar figures. Politico notes that in 2017, Trump requested lawmakers "approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in infrastructure of the United States," and during the 2018 State of the Union, he called on Congress to "produce a bill that generates at least $1.5 trillion for the new infrastructure investment we need." The White House did come up with a plan that included $200 billion in federal money, but was unable to get it turned into legislation.

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.