Trump team weighs US$1t for infrastructure to spur US economy

[WASHINGTON] The Trump administration is preparing a nearly US$1 trillion (S$1.4 trillion) infrastructure proposal as part of its push to spur the world's largest economy back to life, according to people familiar with the plan.

A preliminary version of the proposal being prepared by the Department of Transportation would reserve most of the money for traditional infrastructure work, like roads and bridges, but would also set aside funds for 5G wireless infrastructure and rural broadband, the people said.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to discuss rural broadband access at a White House event on Thursday.

An existing US infrastructure funding law is up for renewal by Sept 30, and the administration sees that as a possible vehicle to push through a broader package, the people said. They asked not to be identified because the Trump proposal isn't final and hasn't been announced.

The plan is emerging as lawmakers from both parties and Mr Trump debate the timing and scope of more stimulus for a US economy plunged into recession by nationwide lock-downs needed to halt the spread of coronavirus. It's the latest sign of momentum in Washington for some kind of infrastructure spending blitz ahead of the election.

House Democrats have offered their own US$500 billion proposal to renew infrastructure funding over five years. It's unclear how long the administration's draft would authorise spending or how it would pay for the programs.

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Mr Trump is pushing to rev up the US economy - which four months ago was the centrepiece of his argument for a second term - as he trails Democrat Joe Biden in most national polls.

The White House explored ways to shift the next round of federal virus aid from personal financial support to growth-fostering initiatives, such as infrastructure spending.

The White House declined to comment specifically on the administration's plans.

"Since he took office, President Trump has been serious about a bipartisan infrastructure package that rebuilds our crumbling roads and bridges, invests in future industries, and promotes permitting efficiency," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

It's still possible that the infrastructure measures could be rolled into the next round of pandemic relief. The House passed US$3 trillion in additional stimulus in May, but the Republican-led Senate spurned that bill and will instead weigh its options next month.

The Democratic bill to reauthorise the current infrastructure program was unveiled this month. It includes investments in roads and bridges, funding to make certain projects more resilient to climate change, and funding for public transit and Amtrak, among other priorities. The House Transportation committee is set to take up the measure on Wednesday.

The existing surface transportation authorisation law, known as the FAST Act, authorises US$305 billion over five years and expires on Sept 30. Lawmakers will either extend it or come up with a long-term replacement.

It's not yet clear how closely the administration's plan will align with the Democrats' proposal - or with what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell might do.

Infrastructure spending has long held appeal for lawmakers as a way to spur growth, and the pandemic is renewing calls to fast-track roads and other projects.

Mary C. Daly, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, called for public-works spending on infrastructure, including projects that could help low-income people.

"We need to focus on investments that leverage the talent of everyone and contribute to the economy's long-term growth prospects," Ms Daly said in a speech on Monday. She cited health, education and digital infrastructure, such as internet access.

One major question facing lawmakers will be how to pay for the measures, a hurdle that has stopped previous moves on infrastructure.

Increasing the federal gas tax to support a massive round of new spending is unlikely though, as Mr Trump cheers low gas prices and calls for other measures, including a payroll tax cut, to put cash in Americans' pockets as the country copes with fallout from the virus.

Congress has shown little concern about the more than US$2 trillion allocated to curb the pandemic's economic damage, though some conservatives have begun to urge Mr Trump to turn off the taps. But interest rates are near zero, making additional government spending more palatable, Ms Daly said.

"Now is an especially good time to take on this type of debt," Ms Daly said. "Even before the crisis, we were in an environment of low interest rates - and that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. This makes public spending relatively cheap and easy to finance."

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