Rand Paul says new infrastructure bill will fund what 'Congress can't find the will to do'

Sen. Rand Paul introduced a bill in Congress this week that would cut 1% of the federal government's noninfrastructure spending and direct that money to infrastructure projects in Kentucky and across the nation.

The Kentucky Republican introduced the Penny Plan to Enhance Infrastructure Act on Wednesday and said in a news release it would provide $12.3 billion in 2020 for new infrastructure spending.

Paul said the redirected money would go toward improving highways, airports, railroads, waterways, ports, military construction and rural utility services, among other things.

Based on some estimates, Paul said the new funding alone could pay for between 2,500 and 6,200 miles of new four-lane highways, 2,200 miles of six-lane interstates or resurface nearly 20,000 miles of existing four-lane roads.

The cut to noninstrastructure spending would not touch Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security, Paul added.

"No matter where I'm meeting with Kentuckians, whether it's in Pikeville, Paducah or my office in Washington, the issue of infrastructure is always a top concern," Paul said Friday in a video posted to his Twitter account.

Why did Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin lose? These 6 maps tell the story

But Kentucky's junior senator said Congress does not know how to prioritize funding for important projects.

When urgent needs arise, Paul said Congress is instead "faced with either spending more money it doesn't have, borrowing the money from China or not funding the projects at all."

"Isn't it mindboggling that everyday Americans can balance their checkbooks and cut less important spending items in order to fund much more dire needs?" Paul said. "Yet Congress can't find the will to do the same with your tax dollars.

"... Kentucky shouldn't suffer because Washington is unwilling to cut less important spending."

Paul said the the roughly $12 billion in fresh spending could help projects such as the politically treacherous effort to improve the Brent Spence Bridge in Northern Kentucky, which connects Covington with Cincinnati over the Ohio River.

Fixing "dated water systems" in Martin County, Kentucky, and expanding ports along the Ohio River would also be possible thanks to the redirected money, Paul said.

See also:Rand Paul blocks resolution restating whistleblower protections

Paul's new bill has been referred to the Senate Budget Committee.

Moving the bill quickly through Congress is likely no small task, as Capitol Hill remains preoccupied with the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. 

Paul has inserted himself into the impeachment drama by demanding news outlets publish the name of the whistleblower who revealed information about Trump's July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Paul blocked a Senate resolution Wednesday restating support for whistleblower protections and has argued that Trump should be afforded the right to confront the whistleblower as part of the impeachment inquiry.

On the infrastructure front, Paul said his "Penny Plan" is necessary to help chip away at needed improvements.

The American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated the U.S. needs to spend about $4.5 trillion by 2025 to properly improve the country's infrastructure.

'Red Paul':First it was 'Moscow Mitch.' Now Kentucky's other senator has a nickname

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com or 502-582-7030. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.