Defense Spending Increase Threatens Infrastructure Grants

While the Trump administration puts together a $1 trillion package to upgrade the nation's infrastruction, one program that's already funneled $5.1 billion to infrastructure projects could be slashed, The Hill reported.

According to The Hill, the administration plans to increase defense spending by $54 billion and cut non-defense spending by the same amount – putting in jeopardy Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grant programs.

The program was set up by the Obama administration’s 2009 economic stimulus package to provide an extra injection of cash for surface transportation projects, and has distributed $5.1 billion to more than 400 projects across the country, The Hill reported.

"It’s very inconsistent,” Maryland Democratic Rep. John Delaney told The Hill about the apparent incongruity, adding: "The real question is, with the cuts he’s proposing to pay for this defense increase, how do we pay for the infrastructure plan?"

Maine's GOP Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, told a hearing last week she "fully" expects the TIGER grants to be slashed under President Donald Trump's budget proposal.

"If [TIGER grants] were to be cut, then it’s big time trouble," Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, ranking member on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, told The Hill.

"Department of Transportation TIGER grants are something that are considered essential to rehabbing our infrastructure."

• Trump Administration Looking Into $6 Billion HUD Budget Cut
• Schumer: Trump's Budget Takes 'a Meat Ax' to Middle Class Programs