Commerce, Justice, Science, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to speak in favor of the Jones amendment No. 1141, cosponsored by Senator McSally of Arizona. I want to thank the Senator from Alabama for filing this important amendment to preserve transit funding at the levels authorized by Congress under the FAST Act. Without this amendment, transit agencies across the country will face a 12-percent cut. A cut of this magnitude would be devastating, particularly for smaller agencies that rely on Federal funding to meet their annual operating expenses and to carry out necessary maintenance. Without this funding, communities would be forced to scale back capital projects and bus acquisitions, and reduce services, eliminating a major mobility option for many of our constituents, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

At a time when the transit industry faces a $90 billion state of good repair backlog, we should be increasing transit investments in order to preserve these critical transportation systems. These cuts would reverse the progress we have made over the last 2 years due to the budget agreement that allowed for desperately needed investments in infrastructure. We must prevent any degradation of funding for our transit systems and instead help these agencies modernize their fleets.

This amendment is supported by over 63 associations, including the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Transport Workers Union, Transportation for America, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, United States Chamber of Commerce, The United States Conference of Mayors, American Road & Transportation Builders Association (co- chair), Associated General Contractors of America (co-chair), Transport Workers Union, American Coal Ash Association, American Concrete Pavement Association, American Concrete Pipe Association, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Subcontractors Association, American Iron and Steel Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Traffic Safety Services Association, Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association, Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, International Slurry Surfacing Association, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, International Union of Operating Engineers, Laborers- Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, Laborers' International Union of North America, National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Association of Surety Bond Producers, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Steel Bridge Alliance, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, National Utility Contractors Association, Portland Cement Association, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, The Road Information Program, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask that my colleagues join me and Senator Collins in supporting this amendment.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff members who actually made this Transportation, Housing and Urban Development-- T-HUD--bill possible. They did extraordinary work. We all recognize that it is their efforts that make these difficult and complicated legislative initiatives possible. On the majority staff, I thank Clare Doherty, Jason Woolwine, Rajat Mathur, Gus Maples, Courtney Young, and LaShawnda Smith. On my staff, I particularly want to thank Dabney Hegg, Christina Monroe, Jessi Axe, and Elisabeth Coats.

I think I speak for all of my colleagues when I salute all the staff members who make this legislation possible.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source