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With extension of the nation’s surface transportation program currently being debated in the halls of Congress, policymakers are considering a variety of options to shore up declining revenues, improve project selection and prioritization, and maintain the existing system. One proposal – a national infrastructure bank – has received considerable attention from both sides of the aisle. Various proposals have been introduced; members of Congress, President Obama, and economists have all weighed in with how a NIB could work. While a new government-sponsored entity is unlikely with lawmakers discussing trillion dollar debts and a deficit reduction committee, reports of the nation’s ailing infrastructure continue to leave room for debate.

Differences in these various NIB proposals raise questions as to exactly how such an entity would operate, and how it should be structured to ensure that dollars are well spent and taxpayers are protected. This policy brief provides an overview and comparison of the four most publicized proposals on the subject.