An internal memo generated by Senate Republicans has accused President Joe Biden’s administration of using “billions” in taxpayer dollars to fund only “woke” highway and infrastructure projects, despite the need for widespread repairs and upgrades around the country.
As reported exclusively by Fox News, the memo “was sent late Monday evening and spearheaded by Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who is planning to author legislation that would prohibit the Department of Transportation (DOT) from tying federal funds to left-wing priorities.”
The report added that the memo “particularly targets DOT’s management of three grant programs that serve as key vehicles to fund various types of surface transportation projects nationwide.”
The memo says, in part: “Billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars meant for infrastructure projects are tied to woke initiatives that are more focused on dismantling America’s infrastructure in the name of ‘equity’ and ‘climate change’ than building roads, bridges, and highways to connect the country.”
“Congress must not allow the Department of Transportation to push the absurd concept of ‘racist roads’ to prevent Americans from getting much-needed improvements to their highways,” the memo continued. “The funding notices issued by DOT should focus on the law as written, not woke priorities.”
In June, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the commencement of the application process for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA), and Rural Surface Transportation Grant programs. These programs, collectively receiving a $5.6 billion boost—primarily allocated to INFRA—were funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
Buttigieg highlighted that the grants awarded through these programs would contribute to “transformational infrastructure projects across the nation.” However, the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued by the DOT as part of the grant-awarding process emphasizes that recipients must comprehensively take into account equity and climate concerns, Fox noted.
“Projects that have not sufficiently considered equity and barriers to opportunity in their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction,” the DOT’s NOFO states.
“Projects that have not sufficiently considered climate change and environmental justice in their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction,” the document adds.
The two stipulations for funding reference President Biden’s day-one executive order titled “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.”
After Buttigieg’s announcement, Cruz penned a letter in July to the Government Accountability Office, seeking confirmation that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) constitutes a rule and, consequently, is subject to the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA is a law dating back nearly three decades that grants Congress the authority to nullify federal regulations. Last month, the federal watchdog responded, affirming that it is indeed subject to the law.
According to a memo circulated on Monday, Cruz is set to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution aimed at contesting “woke” anti-highway policies within DOT grants. The resolution would also take aim at other DOT policies, including portraying road construction as contributing to “automobile dependence” and criticizing highway expansion initiatives that do not incorporate electric vehicle charging stations or bike lanes.
“Taken together, these additions, which severely deviate from the criteria in law, will favor states seeking to expand mass transit and bike paths over states wanting to build roads. The added requirements on grant agreements, which are necessary for money to be paid after awards are announced, are particularly pernicious,” the memo adds.
“The DOT funding notice guarantees that applicants will not get construction funds unless they embrace the administration’s extreme views on climate and equity,” it says while calling for Congress to support the Texas Republican’s upcoming resolution opposing the Biden administration’s “anti-highway agenda.”
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