Dulles, Reagan Airports Could Be Sold Under Trump Budget: Reports

WASHINGTON, DC -- President Donald Trump has just put forward an infrastructure plan for the country, and it would include giving government agencies the authority to sell off airports -- including Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport here in Virginia, according to multiple media reports.

The proposal specifically lists both Reagan and Dulles airports as prime examples of the type of assets that the government could sell to the private sector.

In addition, the proposal cites George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway as examples of roadways that could be privatized instead of maintained by the National Parks Service, as they currently are.

The plan says that the private sector would do a better job of owning and maintaining such infrastructure than states or municipalities.

While many called it a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, critics noted that the plan was almost entirely based on incentives rather than new federal dollars. Politico reports that the proposal likely won't pass Congress, with conservative Republicans already raising concerns with the proposal.

The plan would propose just $200 billion in new federal investment over the next 10 years, which Trump himself acknowledged was "not a large amount." It's also not clear what would fund the proposal.

What is clear is that the plan would turn over a huge amount of federal, state, and local infrastructure to private hands.

Critics allege that the move would be irresponsible and would do nothing to improve infrastructure nationwide. They also say that privatization of public infrastructure could result in tremendous negative effects for citizens, such as an explosion in toll booths and other efforts to make a profit on those facilities.

Image via Dulles International Airport