Second, we’re proposing a boost in investment in the nation’s infrastructure beyond what was included in the Recovery Act, to continue modernizing our transportation and communications networks. These are needed public works that engage private sector companies, spurring hiring across the country. Already, more than 10,000 of these projects have been funded through the Recovery Act. And by design, Recovery Act work on roads, bridges, water systems, Superfund sites, broadband networks, and clean energy projects will all be ramping up in the months ahead. It was planned this way for two reasons: so the impact would be felt over a two year period; and, more importantly, because we wanted to do this right. The potential for abuse in a program of this magnitude, while operating at such a fast pace, was enormous. So I asked Vice President Biden and others to make sure – to the extent humanly possible – that the investments were sound, the projects worthy, and the execution efficient. What this means is that we’re going to see even more work – and workers – on Recovery projects in the next six months than we saw in the last six months.

Even so, there are many more worthy projects than there were dollars to fund them. I recognize that by their nature these projects often take time, and will therefore create jobs over time. But the need for jobs will also last beyond next year and the benefits of these investments will last years beyond that. So adding to this initiative to rebuild America’s infrastructure is the right thing to do.

The White House Press Secretary also circulated a document ahead of the speech with details on President Obama’s plan. It outlined three key areas for stimulating job growth; small business, infrastructure, and clean energy and efficiency. Here’s the second point in full detail:

Investing in America’s Roads, Bridges and Infrastructure

Additional investment in highways, transit, rail, aviation and water. The President is calling for new investments in a wide range of infrastructure, designed to get out the door as quickly as possible while continuing a sustained effort at creating jobs and improving America’s productivity.

Support for merit-based infrastructure investment that leverages federal dollars. The Administration supports financing infrastructure investments in new ways, allowing projects to be selected on merit and leveraging money with a combination of grants and loans as was done through the Recovery Act’s TIGER program.

If you called Rep. Slaughter on the Rules Committee today, we thank you very much for your support and effort to get that crucial funding included in the economic recovery package. (And we point out that calls to her should no longer be made.)

The facts haven’t changed on what could be ahead for the millions of Americans who depend on public transportation to get to work each day.

Transit systems all across the country are facing budget shortfalls due to the economic climate. And while ridership is at some of its highest levels of all time, transit agencies are facing job cuts, fare increases, and service reductions. The everyday Americans who make up the 20 million combined trips on the 38 systems we profiled today will be the ones who bear the brunt of the cutbacks.

The assistance for transit agencies certainly should not have been cut out in the first place. But without that funding, the message on the stimulus is clear: We can find the money to bail out financial institutions that were mismanaged or corrupt in some cases, but we don’t have the money for transit riders who are merely victims of a tanking economy.

While we’re disappointed that the amendment was withdrawn, we’re still urging everyone to call in support of Rep. Nadler’s (D-NY) amendment that would add $3 billion to the transit funding in the recovery package. That would bring the transit amount up to the level in Rep. Oberstar’s previous proposal. Amendments will be determined by Wednesday, so act now.

You can still find out more information on the Transit Cuts page.