Congressman Carter Optimistic Compromise Within Reach On Spending Bills

Louisiana Democratic Congressman Troy Carter is sounding an optimistic note that a compromise is within reach on infrastructure and social spending bills Capitol Hill has been wrangling with. He talks about one of the projects in the 1.2-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that’s important to our state. About 6-billion-dollars is earmarked in the infrastructure bill for projects that include a passenger rail line running from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and beyond.  He says, “brick and mortar are obviously important to advance us.”

Carter says the 3.5-trillion-dollar social spending bill also being hashed out contains important issues to be addressed like housing and getting broadband internet service to the underserved and impoverished.  But, Carter is dismayed by the fact that the two bills totaling just under five trillion dollars have been separated out given the importance of both saying they are “convoluted with definitions.”

On the subject of expanding broadband that’s included in the social spending bill, he believes it’s an important matter to address. “We know in 2021 that having broadband is as much a necessity as having running water or electricity, yet many residents in Louisiana don’t have it,” according to the congressman.