In Support of the National Infrastructure Bank
Adopted at the 94th Annual Meeting in 2026
WHEREAS, Cities own roughly 77% of all roads and streets; they also own local bridges and transit systems, including buses and light rail; and,
WHEREAS, most water distribution systems, sewage networks, and storm water runoff pipes are municipal property; and,
WHEREAS, schools, police and fire stations, libraries, and public parks are almost exclusively owned by local jurisdictions; and,
WHEREAS, nearly all major airports are owned by state or local governments; and,
WHEREAS, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2025 Report Card found that the infrastructure funding shortfall for the nation, including cities, was $3.7 trillion and growing; the shortfall grew by 40% in four years, even with the increased appropriations of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL); and,
WHEREAS, this shortfall includes all the categories of infrastructure owned and managed by municipalities; and,
WHEREAS, IIJA provided $1.2 trillion in total infrastructure investment, which included $650 billion for re-authorizing surface transportation and $550 billion for other infrastructure projects, such as broadband, power grid, water delivery; and,
WHEREAS, the IIJA expires in 2026; it is unlikely to be reauthorized at the 2021 level; the federal budget is now running an annual deficit of nearly $2 trillion; and there is little new money for discretionary spending; and,
WHEREAS, Congress has introduced legislation to create a National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) to address the infrastructure needs of cities and the nation; and,
WHEREAS, the National Infrastructure Bank is modeled on previous institutions which helped build U.S. infrastructure and industry; the last institution helped end the Great Depression and win WWII; and,
WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors was created in 1932 as a voice for municipalities to help bring an end to the Great Depression; Mayors and city governments worked with the last infrastructure institution to build large amounts of urban infrastructure and employ millions of Americans; and,
WHEREAS, the National Infrastructure Bank will require no new federal spending or new federal taxes; it can be capitalized by existing US Treasury bonds, as were previous institutions; and,
WHEREAS, a $5 trillion National Infrastructure Bank would lend to municipalities directly, with no matching funds required, at the lowest rates and longest terms; the NIB will regularly report to congress, and will be permanent; and the NIB will be a stand-alone, off-budget entity; and,
WHEREAS, a $5 trillion NIB is designed to cover the entire infrastructure shortfall outlined by the ASCE. It can also finance additional programs, which could include millions of new units of truly affordable housing, help with mass transit and other needs of America s cities; and,
WHEREAS, many of America s cities have endorsed the National Infrastructure Bank; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors calls on Congress and the Administration to enact this National Infrastructure Bank to address the infrastructure financing needs of America s cities.