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Portman Says Infrastructure Bill Is Needed And Thinks It Is On Track For Passage At Some Point

Brent Spence bridge, Cincinnati
JNix, Shutterstock.com
Brent Spence bridge, Cincinnati

After lots of back and forth, Ohio’s Republican U.S. Senator says he thinks the bipartisan infrastructure deal he’s been working on with President Biden’s administration will happen. 

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) says he and fellow lawmakers in the bipartisan working group realize the need for money for roads and bridges.

“43% of roadways are considered to be in poor or mediocre condition. We have 46,000 bridges in America that are considered structurally deficient," Portman says.

One in need of work is the Brent Spence bridge that connects Cincinnati and Kentucky.

Portman says all recent former presidents have also wanted to do an infrastructure bill. And he says upgrades to the nation's infrastructure are needed to make sure the United States is competitive in the global marketplace. Portman says the sticking point now is how to pay for it. 

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.