WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- President Obama issued a memorandum Wednesday directing U.S. departments and agencies to expedite high-impact infrastructure projects to create jobs.
Obama announced his action during a public statement calling on Congress to pass clean extensions of the federal highways bill and the Federal Aviation Administration authorization.
The departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior and Transportation will each select up to three high-priority infrastructure projects that would create "a significant number of jobs" and are already funded, the White House said in a news release. The projects also must be ones where steps such as permitting and review are within the control of the federal government and can be completed within 18 months.
Even as the projects are expedited, agencies must still adhere to their responsibilities to protect safety, public health and the environment, the White House said.
"Creating jobs is my highest priority as president and investing in our nation's infrastructure can help create those jobs and grow our economy," Obama said. "That's why I'm asking agencies across the federal government to identify infrastructure projects that will put folks back to work and help make our country stronger, and take immediate steps to push these projects across the finish line."
