Hoyer Statement on Highway Bill Motion to Instruct

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House failed to pass his Motion to Instruct Conferees, which would have instructed Conferees on the Surface Transportation Extension Act to adopt the bipartisan Senate transportation bill:

"I am disappointed that tonight, House Republicans rejected the Senate's bipartisan transportation bill --despite still lacking a long-term plan of their own. It has been over 100 days since the Senate passed a bipartisan transportation bill, one that continues the long, bipartisan tradition of the parties working together on this legislation. The Senate approved the bipartisan transportation bill by a strong vote of 74-22, with 22 Senate Republicans crossing the aisle to support it. It has been promoted by Chambers of Commerce in cities and counties across America, and highway safety advocates have hailed its new provisions to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads. The Senate bill also expedites transportation projects without undermining our clean air laws or legislating on unrelated energy and air quality matters to the detriment of our environment. Furthermore, it leverages federal funding to protect nearly two million jobs and create a million more.

"As we enter the 11th hour, I urge House Republicans to drop their obstruction and work with us on the long term solution that businesses need to grow and hire. Before millions of Americans hit the road next week to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family, let's give them a bipartisan transportation bill that protects safety, invests in infrastructure to strengthen our economy, and helps put Americans back to work."

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