Bonamici Calls for Long-Term Transportation Bill

Statement

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3038, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, Part II.

"Our country must make long-term investments in transportation. Projects that improve our roads and bridges and strengthen our train and bus services are part of smart spending that grows our economy, creates jobs, and develops and maintains world-class infrastructure for our citizens. Most of these projects are large and many take years to plan, which is why a long-term highway spending bill is critical. Unfortunately the bill brought to the House floor today is another short-term extension. I reluctantly voted in favor of the bill, even though our state planners, workers, and contractors need long-term stability, because an extension is better than expiration, which is imminent.

"Each year, Oregon receives approximately half a billion dollars in federal transportation, which goes solely to new construction projects. This five month extension offers little assurance to contractors pursuing new projects or to state transportation agencies tasked with planning and managing already tight budgets. I urge my colleagues to work on and pass a long-term transportation bill as soon as possible. These short-term extensions that create even more uncertainty must stop."

Source