2 minute read
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM VISITS MAULDIN PAVING PRODUCTS
Lindsey Graham
U.S. Senator (S.C.)
By Eric Olson
CEG CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham visited the Mauldin Paving Products manufacturing facility in Greenville, S.C., on May 17 to discuss President Biden’s proposed $2.1 infrastructure bill designed to, among other things, build better, safer roads and bridges nationwide.
After discussing the issue with company owners and other South Carolina members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Graham was given a tour of the plant before making brief remarks on the factory floor to Mauldin Paving employees and members of the media.
“I have met with some Democratic colleagues, and I don’t think we can pass a $2 billion bill, but an $800 million to $900 million package that is tailored toward construc- South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham visited the Mauldin Paving Products manufacturing facility in Greenville, S.C., tion,” he said. “I am all for building up our on May 17 to discuss President Biden’s proposed $2.1 trilhigh-speed internet capabilities, but con- lion infrastructure bill designed to, among other things, struction has to be the meat and potatoes of build better, safer roads and bridges nationwide. any infrastructure bill.”
Graham added that he was “hopeful” Congress would pass the infrastructure bill in the next 60 to 90 days. His belief is that it would generate a lot of economic activity for the United States and help the country continue to recover from COVID-19.
“If it does pass, it will be done on a bipartisan basis and if it does not, it would be a great missed opportunity,” he remarked. “There are enough Republicans willing to work with Democrats to get this done if President Biden will sit down and work through the details.
He elicited cheers from the Mauldin Paving factory workers, many of whom are machine assemblers and welders, when he said, “if we can pass an infrastructure bill, get ready for overtime.” see MAULDIN page 96
AEM Members Discuss Issues With Graham
The AEM has been working with Graham to put construction at the heart of President Biden’s infrastructure bill.
Graham was invited to discuss the proposed legislation with executives at Calder Brothers Corp., the owner of Mauldin Paving, prior to his talk on the factory floor. The long-time U.S. senator from South Carolina, one of the most powerful politicians in Congress, also asked questions during the meeting and listened to Calder’s concerns. The company has been a member of AEM for 30 years.
Glen Calder, vice president of operations of Mauldin Paving, explained to Graham that Mauldin Paving produces a range of asphalt pavers, road maintainers, asphalt rollers, motor graders, truck mounted tank products and trailer mounted liquid asphalt/emulsion tanks from its expansive new facility in Greenville.
“We start with raw steel, then cut, bend, weld, paint
After discussing the issue with company owners and other South Carolina members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham was given a tour of the Mauldin Paving plant before making brief remarks on the factory floor to employees and members of the media.
