Investing in A New Vision for the Environment and Surface

Floor Speech

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Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, this amendment is the first step to determine how we invest in our infrastructure moving forward.

Since 2008, we have repeatedly bailed out the highway trust fund. That makes it a trust fund that we cannot actually trust.

A highway cost allocation study provides the data that we need in order to make long-term, sustainable, and fiscally sound decisions about how best to invest in our Nation's aging infrastructure. These studies used to occur regularly, but the last one was completed over 20 years ago.

My amendment would direct the Department of Transportation to carry out a study in 4 years, giving those of us here in Congress a full year to analyze the results before the highway programs expire once again. We can't continue to burden future generations with out-of-control spending, and this amendment is a signal to future Congresses that we must find lasting solutions for infrastructure investment.

I want to thank Senator Kelly and Senator Cornyn for their support in this effort, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this amendment.
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