More than 35 Congressional Steel Caucus members called on their colleagues to approve a bill that would provide federal funds for infrastructure projects around the country.

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind. and other House lawmakers said in a letter sent Thursday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the projects will provide jobs and revenue to states and municipalities and boost steel producers and industry suppliers and goods manufacturers.

Visclosky is chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, a bipartisan bloc of lawmakers who are from districts with a steel industry presence or are interested in the health of the domestic steel industry.

The letter touted data from the American Society of Civil Engineers, which estimated that $1.6 trillion is needed in a five-year period to bring the nation's infrastructure -- including highways, waterways, rail, aviation and pipelines -- to a "good condition."

"In order to continue to be a global leader, the U.S. must upgrade its crumbling infrastructure," the letter said. "For years we haven't invested enough funding to sustain our current infrastructure, let alone keep up with our expanding needs."

The current authorization of federal highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety and public transportation programs expired Sept. 30, but is operating on a legislative extension of the program through Oct. 31.

Federal programs have to be authorized and funded through annual appropriations measures, but they eventually expire. Congressional Steel Caucus members want a complete reauthorization and expansion of the program as soon as possible.