Obama proposes public works US budget plan

US President Barack Obama will seek a public works program of highway, bridge and transit upgrades.

US President Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

US President Barack Obama is proposing an ambitious six-year, $US478 billion ($A616.22 billion) public works program of highway, bridge and transit upgrades.

White House officials said half would be paid by a one-time mandatory tax on profits that US companies have amassed in other countries.

Under Obama's proposal, US companies would pay a 14 per cent tax on up to $US2 trillion in estimated earnings they have accumulated overseas.

The proposal is part of a broader tax overhaul to lower corporate tax rates.

The proposal will be included in Obama's budget that's set for release on Monday.

It builds on an idea that the administration has pushed since 2013, and is intended to jump-start discussions with congress on how to modernise infrastructure that is badly in need of repair.


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