Lawmakers: National Infrastructure Bank on its way

Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) pushed for passage of the National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) Wednesday at a press event, according to Streetsblog Capitol Hill.

DeLauro's bill has 44 cosponsors in the House, and a Senate version of it is expected, as Dodd has introduced similar legislation before. The NIB would direct public and private dollars toward infrastructure projects of national or regional significance. It covers a variety of areas, from transit to water.

Dodd expressed that he wants to move quickly, as his goal is to bring the NIB forth before his retirement in 2011, Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported.

But there are concerns with the bill that invite criticism, such as the fact that it seems more in tune with commercial applications aiming for profit--which could leave a number of transportation projects out of the picture, as the blog reported former House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt speculating. There also is the issue of getting through to House and Senate appropriators.