Page 8 • June 2, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Sen. Lindsey Graham Visits Mauldin Paving Products “…construction has to be the meat and potatoes of any infrastructure bill.” 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 tory floor. The long-time U.S. senator from South would pass the infrastructure bill in the next 60 to 90 Carolina, one of the most powerful politicians in days. His belief is that it would generate a lot of eco- Congress, also asked questions during the meeting nomic activity for the United States and help the and listened to Calder’s concerns. The company has been a member of AEM for 30 years. country continue to recover from COVID-19. Glen Calder, vice president of operations of “If it does pass, it will be done on a bipartisan basis and if it does not, it would be a great missed opportu- Mauldin Paving, explained to Graham that Mauldin nity,” he remarked. “There are enough Republicans Paving produces a range of asphalt pavers, road mainwilling to work with Democrats to get this done if tainers, asphalt rollers, motor graders, truck mounted President Biden will sit down and work through the tank products and trailer mounted liquid asphalt/emulsion tanks from its expansive new facilidetails. He elicited cheers from the Mauldin Paving factory ty in Greenville. “We start with raw steel, then cut, bend, weld, paint workers, many of whom are machine assemblers and welders, when he said, “if we can pass an infrastrucsee MAULDIN page 64 ture bill, get ready for overtime.” 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 fac-
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.
