White House to release infrastructure proposal Monday

The Trump administration on Monday will unveil its long-awaited infrastructure proposal, which comes amid speculation over potential revenue sources and multiple delays.

A White House official confirmed to The Hill that President Trump will release rebuilding “principles” for a package of “at least $1.5 trillion” on Feb. 12, which is the same day the administration plans to release its spending blueprint for fiscal 2019.

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The official reiterated Trump’s call during his annual State of the Union address to streamline the permitting process, adding that the proposal will also include details for rebuilding initiatives in rural regions.

The president during his speech called upon Congress to craft a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan that would utilize state, local and public-private partnerships “where appropriate.”

While the president’s rhetoric last week was light on specifics, the White House during the speech provided reporters with a fact sheet including some additional details. That fact sheet lined up with a previously leaked draft of principles purporting to be an administration document.

Both memos said half of the federal appropriations would go toward an incentive program to encourage local governments to invest in infrastructure projects, while a quarter would be allocated to a pot for rural regions.

But lawmakers following the president’s annual address were left wondering how the administration plans to fund a rebuilding initiative. The federal government is expected to contribute $200 billion to the proposal and hope the private sector and local governments will foot the rest of the bill.

Democrats are calling on the federal government to up its investment in an overhaul to rebuild U.S. roads, bridges, airports and other public works, while Republicans are also concerned about the plan’s revenue sourcing.

Updated 12:26 p.m.