Why Trump's Billion-Dollar Infrastructure Promise Remains Unfulfilled

President Trump's campaign pledge to spend more than a trillion dollars on infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has continued to elude realization in the months following the 2016 election. Despite his promise, no significant federal infrastructure program has been initiated despite having a Republican majority in both the House and Senate during his first two years in office. Why did this ambitious plan fall short, and what does this tell us about the political landscape in the United States?

The Constitutional Constraint

The Constitution's Limitations: The U.S. Constitution grants the power of funding to the House of Representatives. Therefore, for Trump to secure the 1 trillion dollar investment in new roads, the item would have to be included in the budget proposal he submits to Congress. This fundamental political reality makes it clear that promises alone do not translate into policy action without legislative backing.

The Erosion of Trust

A Self-Serving Lie: More broadly, everything Trump has said and continues to say today is perceived as a self-serving lie. His failure to deliver on infrastructure promises is just one of many instances that have eroded the trust he had with the American public. For instance, Trump's efforts to pass a tax bill with record-breaking savings for the wealthiest corporations and individuals while increasing the federal deficit starkly contrast with his campaign rhetoric about bringing jobs and prosperity back to America.

A Lack of Priority and Proper Legislation

Inadequate Congressional Prioritization: The President's proposal for infrastructure investment was not prioritized either by him or his administration. Instead, the focus has been on deregulation initiatives that may benefit corporations but provide little benefit to the average taxpayer. This shift in focus suggests a broader political shift towards regulatory rollback and away from federal projects designed to help everyday citizens.

Constitutional Delegation of Power

Constitutional Provisions: It's important to understand that the President can propose projects, but only Congress holds the power of the purse under the provisions of the U.S. Constitution. Any federal project, no matter how promising, requires the passage of legislation designating the required funding before it can be realized. This explains why even though Trump proposed the infrastructure plan, it failed to materialize due to a lack of legislative support.

Legacy and Impact

Positive Impact Potential: It's worth considering that a major investment in infrastructure could have been beneficial for the American people. Such a program would not only improve infrastructure like roads, bridges, and the power grid but also create massive job opportunities. Sadly, it never came to fruition, undermining the credibility of the administration's promises.

Conclusion

The failure to realize Trump's infrastructure promise is a byproduct of a broader political landscape characterized by constitutional limits, a loss of trust, and the prioritization of deregulation over public interest initiatives. As the United States continues to struggle with infrastructure needs, it remains crucial to understand the checks and balances within our political system and the importance of robust legislative processes in making such significant policy changes.