ALLENTOWN – Kevin Dellicker, Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in PA’s 7th Congressional District, issued the following statement on the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday:

“Inflation is the highest in decades, the deficit is the worst since World War II, and supply shortages are crushing small businesses and working families. The answer to these problems is not more deficit spending, more government programs, and more federal mandates. But that’s exactly what’s in this 2,740-page monstrosity.”

Stating that he would have been a solid “no” vote on the trillion dollar bill, Dellicker pointed out that the legislation adds $256 billion to the federal deficit, on top of the $1.9 trillion bill passed in March and the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act currently in the Congress. Yet, the bill fails to address the real infrastructure challenges facing Pennsylvania and the nation.

“This kind of out-of-control spending endorsed by Rep. Susan Wild prioritizes the wants of Washington progressives over the needs of local voters,” said Dellicker. He offered a few examples from the infrastructure bill:

• $21.5 billion to create a new Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
• $14.2 billion to provide households with $30 a month for Internet access
• $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging stations
• Mandates to ensure that “advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology must be standard equipment in all new passenger motor vehicles”
• A national motor vehicle per-mile user fee “pilot program”

“The Lehigh Valley has many real infrastructure needs, like upgrading our roads and bridges, improving our water treatment plants, and removing hazardous materials from our schools. Those needs are being squeezed by irresponsible spending on things that have nothing to do with real infrastructure.”

For more information about Mr. Dellicker’s candidacy, please visit www.dellicker.org.

Military information and references to Mr. Dellicker’s military service do not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense, Air Force, Army, or National Guard.

Information provided to TVL by:
SAMUEL S. CHEN