This week Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer introduced the USA Infrastructure Act. The measure funds infrastructure projects with revenue from tariffs and duties from fees on passengers and freight entering the country. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek applauds Senator Fischer for her approach in addressing the shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund with this bill.

He says it’s positive Senator Fischer is looking at providing a stable revenue source to address infrastructure needs.

Steenhoek says Fischer’s legislation is important for agriculture because it calls for earmarking $21.4 billion a year for the Highway Trust Fund which pays for the needed infrastructure farmers and ranchers use to get their goods to export markets.

Steenhoek says another good aspect of Fischer’s legislation is it provides financial stability for the Highway Trust Fund without raising fees or taxes.