Sires Named Conferee to Highway Bill Conference

Press Release

Today, Congressman Sires released the following statement on his appointment to serve on a conference committee to complete a final Highway Bill agreement:

"I am honored to be selected to participate in this important conference to negotiate the differences between the House Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act and the Senate DRIVE Act," said Congressman Sires. "While I am pleased that both bills authorize highway, bridge, transportation safety, and public transit projects for six years, I am concerned with language contained in the House bill that would threaten crucial transit funds in New Jersey.

Our Nation and our region's transportation infrastructure are in dire need of investment, but the funding levels authorized by both Senate and House bills are not adequate to address these needs. With a last-minute amendment attached to the House bill, New Jersey and its neighboring states are at risk of losing critical funding that invests in our urban transit systems. Investing in our transportation infrastructure creates jobs, boosts our economy, and enhances our quality of life, and I look forward to addressing these important issues during the conference."

The Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 363-64 on November 5, 2015.

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