America's Highway and Transit Programs

Floor Speech

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, unless we act now, the highway and transit programs will expire in a few days, endangering our roads, bridges, transit systems; and everyone who uses them will experience a decline in what they view as America.

So I would like to list the reasons we need to move quickly to pass a highway bill that is not simply an extension. One, we must raise America's standing in the world of infrastructure from 24th place to first. Three months ago, the Senate passed a responsible, bipartisan 2-year transportation bill that would save or create 2 million jobs. We have 2.2 million construction and manufacturing workers out of work; $1,060 is how much we could save each family in transportation costs if we could come to an agreement. H.R. 7 was called by my friend Secretary LaHood ``the most partisan transportation bill that (he had) ever seen, the worst transportation bill.''

Mr. Speaker, I have more points. I will try to get them in later.

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