ARLINGTON, VA – National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) President and CEO Eric R. Byer recently issued a statement regarding passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the statement, Byer said, “The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) applauds House lawmakers for their determination to invest in our nation’s infrastructure and modernize our economy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework passed today in the House includes various crucial provisions to update and bolster the U.S. transportation infrastructure.

“NACD has long advocated for robust investment into America’s aging transportation infrastructure, specifically investing in our ports, rail systems, highways, and bridges. U.S. businesses and our nation’s economy depend on safe, efficient, and reliable surface transportation that promotes economic competitiveness.

“As entities up and down the supply chain grapple with our nation’s ongoing shipping crisis, NACD commends the inclusion of significant funding for port infrastructure to address repair and maintenance backlogs and reduce congestion at U.S. ports across the country, as well as funds to improve the nation’s freight rail network.

“NACD remains disappointed that lawmakers chose to reinstate Superfund Taxes as part of the legislation. Additional taxes on many of the chemicals and other materials that make up the building blocks of the very products needed for infrastructure development will make these critical materials more expensive and harder to find domestically in the U.S. This burdensome tax will handicap infrastructure development when we can least afford it.”