Former Rep. John Delaney John DelaneyCoronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Rodney Davis Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer says Trump right on China but wrong on WHO; CDC issues new guidance for large gatherings The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what 'policing' means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight MORE‘s (D-Md.) presidential campaign on Wednesday announced a sweeping infrastructure plan, pledging $2 trillion to repair and upgrade roads, bridges and water systems.

Delaney’s plan would allocate more money to the Highway Trust Fund and create seven additional infrastructure funds covering climate resiliency, water infrastructure, schools, deferred maintenance, rural broadband and “areas left behind,” as well as a “national infrastructure bank.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The deferred maintenance fund would address the issue of necessary infrastructure maintenance that has historically only been addressed in response to specific emergencies.

“We need to confront the deferred maintenance needs of existing infrastructure to keep systems in good repair and prevent disasters,” the campaign states. “Demand is growing for freight and passenger rail capacity, and our current system is ridden with maintenance backlogs on projects with an average age of 111 years.”

“There are no easy answers to many of our economic issues but there are simple answers, including launching a massive, job-creating, community improving infrastructure program to rebuild our roads and bridges, extend rural broadband, improve decaying water systems, and build the advanced energy economy,” said Delaney. “As the author of the largest bipartisan infrastructure bill in the Congress, I know how to get this done.”

Delaney said the package would be “fully paid for” and vowed not to leave infrastructure meetings with congressional leaders “like a spoiled child,” a reference to a press appearance President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE made last week after leaving a meeting with Democratic leaders over infrastructure. In the appearance, Trump vowed not to work with Democrats on an infrastructure passage until they ended various ongoing investigations into his businesses and administration.

Delaney, one of the first Democratic candidates to announce for the 2020 race, is one of a handful of hopefuls who has met the polling threshold to reach the debate stage but has not reached the fundraising threshold. Others include New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.) and Reps. Tim Ryan Timothy (Tim) RyanNow's the time to make 'Social Emotional Learning' a national priority Mourners gather outside Supreme Court after passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lincoln Project hits Trump for criticizing Goodyear, 'an American company' MORE (D-Ohio) and Eric Swalwell Eric Michael SwalwellSwalwell calls for creation of presidential crimes commission to investigate Trump when he leaves office 'This already exists': Democrats seize on potential Trump executive order on preexisting conditions Swalwell: Barr has taken Michael Cohen's job as Trump's fixer MORE (D-Calif.). The Democratic National Committee announced this week that for the next round of debates, candidates must cross both thresholds to qualify.