Palmetto State News

In his opening remarks at today’s U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on infrastructure and public transportation investment, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the committee’s top Republican, emphasized the importance of pursuing local solutions to local problems. He argued that such an approach would promote targeted developments to improve infrastructure in both urban and rural communities.

Senator Scott criticized progressive policies for leading to record-high inflation and increased costs across various sectors. He opposed the Biden administration's climate agenda and regulations, claiming they have hindered local communities' ability to improve their infrastructure.

Senator Scott’s opening remarks as delivered:

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the witnesses for being with us today. Thank you for the committee members who are here with us as well.

One of the challenges I see on this conversation that we’re having today is to realize that local problems need local solutions. It’s really hard for folks in Washington, DC to understand the transit needs of folks in Charleston, South Carolina, Summerville, South Carolina, Columbus, Ohio, or Chicago, Illinois.

The most effective thing that we can do is make sure that the resourcing goes without all the red tape and challenges that come from Washington, D.C. Getting that done seems to be too close to Peter walking on the water. Nearly a miraculous occurrence and manifestation has to happen for us to just do the simple thing.

I spent half my career in politics on the local level, understanding and appreciating transit systems, infrastructure projects, and what it takes to get those things done.

When I first became a senator, one thing I did was decide that as a kid who grew up in a single-parent household mired in poverty who understood the transit needs of the poorest Americans trying to get to their jobs; I wanted to make sure that I was sensitive to the current state of Americans trying to get work. So I decided I’d go back to the old bus routes and spend time talking with people waiting on buses.

I remember talking with a grandmother who worked at Walmart who wanted more time with her grandkids but had long commutes due to inadequate transit options. She would spend 80-90 minutes each way commuting for a seven-hour shift at slightly above minimum wage.

Having these conversations made me think about how challenging it is as a local official to determine proper transit routes so people can access jobs efficiently. This cannot be effectively managed from Washington.

Washington has poorly imposed onerous burdens on local governments because 535 people seem confident they know everything about local needs yet achieve little progress.

For example, my friends on the left advocate for what they call ‘New Green Deal,’ which ends up stifling opportunities by diverting resources away from locals making good decisions about their needs."

Scott further elaborated on delays caused by federal regulations:

"It takes about seven years – seven years – for a project like a new highway program even though its cost increases over time due mainly due delayed starts caused by federal processes."

Scott concluded by stressing practical solutions over extensive hearings:

"Mr. Chairman…most Americans would say skip hearings block grant money let brother go work."