PRESS RELEASE
July 15, 2024
MARLANDO PRIDGEN STATEMENT
ON FEDERAL GRANT FOR NEW CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE
Congratulations and sincere thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and Governor Roy Cooper for extending the benefits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) to the people of southeastern North Carolina. The $242 million grant to help finance construction of a new span to replace the aging Cape Fear Memorial (CFM) Bridge is a welcome development that will benefit the economy of our region for decades to come.
Much work remains to be done before the new bridge is completely funded, but this is an excellent start.
Let’s be clear. This grant would never have seen the light of day without the leadership of President Joe Biden and Governor Cooper. Notably absent in the entire process was my opponent, Representative David Rouzer. He voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 and has been absent without leave in the work that went into the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement grant.
Ironically, Congressman Rouzer is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Yet, he has displayed a clear inability — or unwillingness — to communicate effectively with local and state transportation leaders to secure funding for the CFM Bridge replacement, a critical piece of North Carolina infrastructure that resides in his own backyard.
Rouzer’s failure to work with members of Congress across the aisle to approve legislation that benefits his district — and all Americans — is disgraceful and unworthy of his office. If elected, I intend to work with anyone in Washington who can help me advance laws that will improve the quality of life of my constituents.
(Marlando Pridgen is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress, District 7.)
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