President Donald Trump said in a speech Tuesday that the U.S. needs to embark on a massive infrastructure project in order to “achieve true progress.”
Trump was speaking in front of the North America’s Building Trades Unions’ national legislative conference, where he repeated his campaign pitch to rebuild America.
“We must remember our legacy. We’re the nation that built the tallest skyscrapers on what was once the Hudson River, and put the neon lights of Las Vegas in the desert,” Trump said. “If we continue to punish our builders we will not be that nation any longer. I’m calling on everyone to come together in the great rebuilding of our country.”
The president said he is asking lawmakers to pass a trillion dollar infrastructure bill that would rebuild “our country’s bridges, airports, seaports, and water systems.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said repeatedly that he is willing to work with Trump on infrastructure legislation.
“Standing before me today in this very hall are the men and women who if given the chance can transform these communities. You are the citizens who can rebuild our cities, revive our industries, and renew our beloved country. and I know you will stop at nothing to get the job done,” Trump said.
The president cited the Empire State Building as an example of a monument which thousands worked to build.
“When we rise above the cynics and critics who live only to defend the status quo and to defend themselves from failure, then we too will construct a lasting monument to national greatness. In this future our nation’s workers and craftsmen will look way out at the vast open landscape and they will build new bridges and new schools and new landmarks and they will proudly raise up for all to see a bright and beautiful American flag,” Trump added.