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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) — U.S. Representative Jim Baird (R-District 4) is opposed to President Joe Biden's recently proposed federal infrastructure program.

Biden recently unveiled his $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, which outlines billion dollar investments in traditional infrastructure in Indiana and across the nation. But it also includes investments in child care, health care and other areas some people might not consider infrastructure.

That's been a big sticking point for Republicans like Baird, who says the plan is too expensive and too wide-ranging. He'd like to see a more targeted approach to government spending.

"We're to the point of changing the definition of what infrastructure is," Baird says. "I mean, we're throwing everything in except the kitchen table and the kitchen sink and calling it infrastructure, and I think that's irrational and irresponsible."

But Baird agrees the nation's roads, bridges, water and sewer systems and broadband internet are in need of improvements. Biden has said he's willing to negotiate on the extent of the plan and how to pay for it.

"Let's have the debates, let's have the discussions rather than just throw these kinds of dollars out there without any focus or targeting what we want to do with that money," Baird says. 

Baird also recently toured the district and visited cities like Logansport and Kokomo. He says he was impressed by the innovation and creativity of his constituents.

(This story appeared on the WLFI's website. The article can be viewed here.)