Sires Urges Passage of Surface Transportation Bill

Press Release

Yesterday, Congressman Sires joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) at Hoboken Terminal in urging passage of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), a two year bill to fund highways and mass transit.

"Just last week the Senate was able to work together in a bi-partisan manner to pass MAP-21," said Congressman Sires. "It is now time for the House to put away partisan differences and take action to pass a long term transportation bill. In this vein, I have co-sponsored the House version of the Senate transportation bill, and encourage my colleagues to bring this bill for a vote to the House Floor."

Under MAP-21, which was passed by the Senate on March 14, 2012 and will be introduced by the House this week, it is estimated that up to 1 million jobs will be created and 1.8 million jobs will be saved. The legislation is fully paid for and passed the Senate by a bipartisan majority of 74 -- 22. Since the expiration of the last long term transportation bill in 2009, several short term extensions have been passed. The most recent extension is set to expire on March 31, 2012.

"New Jersey, and in particular my district, is a transportation hub that requires a long term transportation bill so that we can put people to work and move forward with vital transportation projects," said Sires. "Under MAP-21, New Jersey commuters will benefit through a set aside of $240 per month of their untaxed dollars for commuting costs. Additionally, New Jersey is estimated to receive $500 million for transit projects, which provides so many of our commuters with reliable transportation."

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