• Research
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie India logoCarnegie lettermark logo
AI
{
  "authors": [
    "Bill Bradley",
    "Tom Ridge",
    "David Walker"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "SCP",
  "programs": [
    "Sustainability, Climate, and Geopolitics"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Climate Change"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

What's Lost in the House Budget Cuts

While there are many legitimate disagreements regarding how to cut the U.S. deficit, deep cuts to the national infrastructure is more likely to hurt the country's long-term economic growth.

Link Copied
By Bill Bradley, Tom Ridge, David Walker
Published on Feb 27, 2011

Source: Washington Post

What's Lost in the House Budget CutsWhile there are many legitimate disagreements regarding how to cut the deficit, the continuing resolution the House passed last week goes too far by cutting almost 20 percent in the transportation budget - the largest percentage cut in all domestic discretionary programs. A nation that does not maintain its infrastructure is doomed to economic decline. We look at U.S. spending as a Democrat, a Republican and an independent - and we believe our nation needs to invest more, not less, in infrastructure.

This does not mean that improvements shouldn't be made. At present 80 percent of federal transportation funds are distributed by formula - with no competition and no performance requirements. That must stop. We must make every dollar contribute to transportation performance. All transportation spending should be consolidated into a unified transportation trust fund subject to rigorous, independent cost-benefit analysis.

A better transportation system will enhance our economic and national security and will rebuild public trust in public investments. Many new members of Congress are rightly furious about wasteful spending. By squeezing every ounce of investment gain from our infrastructure dollar we can create a transportation program that both deficit hawks and program reform leaders can get behind.

The authors are the co-chairs of the Leadership Initiative on Transportation Solvency, an initiative created by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to develop a non-partisan solution funding a better transportation system in the United States.

About the Authors

Bill Bradley

Tom Ridge

David Walker

Authors

Bill Bradley
Tom Ridge
David Walker
Climate ChangeNorth AmericaUnited States

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie India

  • Article
    What Could a Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement Do for U.S.-India Ties?

    India and the United States are close to concluding a Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement (RDPA) that will allow firms from the two countries to sell to each other’s defense establishments more easily. While this may not remedy the specific grievances both sides may have regarding larger bilateral issues, an RDPA could restore some momentum, following the trade deal announcement.

      Konark Bhandari

  • Commentary
    India Signs the Pax Silica—A Counter to Pax Sinica?

    On the last day of the India AI Impact Summit, India signed Pax Silica, a U.S.-led declaration seemingly focused on semiconductors. While India’s accession to the same was not entirely unforeseen, becoming a signatory nation this quickly was not on the cards either.

      Konark Bhandari

  • Commentary
    The Impact of U.S. Sanctions and Tariffs on India’s Russian Oil Imports

    This piece examines India’s response to U.S. sanctions and tariffs, specifically assessing the immediate market consequences, such as alterations in import costs, and the broader strategic implications for India’s energy security and foreign policy orientation.

      Vrinda Sahai

  • Commentary
    NISAR Soars While India-U.S. Tariff Tensions Simmer

    On July 30, 2025, the United States announced 25 percent tariffs on Indian goods. While diplomatic tensions simmered on the trade front, a cosmic calm prevailed at the Sriharikota launch range. Officials from NASA and ISRO were preparing to launch an engineering marvel into space—the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), marking a significant milestone in the India-U.S. bilateral partnership.

      Tejas Bharadwaj

  • Commentary
    TRUST and Tariffs

    The India-U.S. relationship currently appears buffeted between three “Ts”—TRUST, Tariffs, and Trump.

      Arun K. Singh

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie India
Carnegie India logo, white
Unit C-4, 5, 6, EdenparkShaheed Jeet Singh MargNew Delhi – 110016, IndiaPhone: 011-40078687
  • Research
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie India
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.