Energy secretary: ‘We don’t want to use past definitions of infrastructure’

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Sunday that the administration did not want to use past definitions of infrastructure when asked about President Biden’s $2 trillion plan.

During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” host George Stephanopoulos asked Granholm about criticism by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) regarding Biden not being truthful about what defines infrastructure.

Energy Sec. Granholm responds to criticism of the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan: “What is infrastructure? Historically, it’s been what makes the economy move.” https://t.co/MLMwtBqEVj pic.twitter.com/eoAid78NLK

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 11, 2021

“What is infrastructure? Historically, it’s been what makes the economy move, what is it that we all need to ensure that we as citizens are productive,” Granholm said. 

“So we need roads, we need bridges, we need transmission, you need lights in people’s homes and offices, you need to make sure that people can actually go to work if they have an aging parent or a child,” she said, adding that infrastrure “evolves to meet the American people’s aspirations.”

She noted as an example that in past decades, broadband would not have been included in such a measure.

“Bottom line is, though, the president wants to negotiate with Republicans, and he wants to see a common vision for the future,” Granholm said.

“Chris Christie talked about talking about the future,” she said. “We don’t want to use past definitions of infrastructure when we are moving into the future.”