Statement of Russ Carnahan Re: Senate Approval of Transportation Bill

Statement

Congressman Russ Carnahan issued the following statement today in response to the United States Senate passing a two-year, $109 billion transportation and infrastructure bill on Wednesday.

"I applaud my colleagues in the Senate for putting the needs of thousands of American workers first. They have passed a bill that will create thousands of jobs, while making critical improvements to our infrastructure and providing solutions to our ever-present transportation needs," said Carnahan. "I am encouraged to see that the Senate bill, while instituting some additional processes, does include the key provisions from the transit flexibility bill I introduced last year. These provisions put the decision making power in the hands of local transit providers to maintain service and to keep people on the job."

"I call on the House Leadership to follow the bipartisan example in the Senate and swiftly move forward with a reauthorization bill next week. A long-term reauthorization will prevent thousands of construction workers from taking an unwanted furlough and will create thousands of new jobs as well. I am eager to replicate the example of across-the-aisle support demonstrated in the Senate for a transportation bill which will ensure that the livelihoods of thousands of Americans does not come to a screeching halt and reconstruction of our crumbling infrastructure can continue.

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