November 4, 2021

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative,

You will soon be considering the Senate amendment to H.R. 3684.  This bill authorizes more than $1.2 trillion, with only $500 billion allocated for roads, bridges, and other traditional infrastructure projects.  The price tag for this legislation is more than twice the cost of the most recent highway bill.  More than $1 trillion remains unspent from COVID-19 “relief” bills, and the $350 billion provided for state and local governments under the American Rescue Plan can be and is already being used for infrastructure.  On behalf of more than one million members and supporters of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), I urge you to oppose H.R. 3684.

Consumers face the highest level of inflation in decades, with increased prices at the gas pumps and grocery registers.  If Congress adds $1.2 trillion in spending on infrastructure, the economic recovery will continue to slow, and future generations will be left paying for this increased spending through higher taxes and higher prices well into the future.  Instead of more government spending, Congress should be reducing the size and scope of the federal government by implementing spending caps, budget reforms, and cutting wasteful and duplicative spending. 

H.R. 3684 also opens the door for passage of a $1.75 trillion “human infrastructure” bill, which will bring total spending since the beginning of the pandemic to well over $10 trillion.  The tax increases included in the House version of the reconciliation bill are insufficient to pay the full cost and the exclusion of anyone making under $400,000 from facing increased taxes are belied by numerous provisions, including the massive tax increases for tobacco and harm reduction products.  The tax increases will also undermine further economic recovery from the pandemic.

While most Americans agree that the nation’s roads and bridges are in need of repair, they do not want unrelated and unnecessary expenditures added to any infrastructure bill.  H.R. 3684 is a massive spending bill disguised as an infrastructure bill, and the risks and costs far outweigh any benefits.  For these reasons, I urge you to oppose passage of H.R. 3684.  All votes related to H.R. 3684 may be among those considered for CCAGW’s 2021 Congressional Ratings. 

Sincerely, 
Tom Schatz 
President, CCAGW 

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