Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012

Floor Speech

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, the bill on the Floor today is not the bill we should be debating. Rather than extending surface transportation law for the ninth time, we should vote on the Senate-passed, bipartisan MAP 21 bill, which has been introduced in the House as H.R. 14.

This debate is yet another example of the Republican Majority's absolute refusal to compromise--even with Senators in their own party. They have spent six weeks arguing internally about this legislation. They have refused to work across the aisle. And this week they have waited until Thursday, two days before the surface transportation law expires, to hold a vote on this issue.

This is not a time for games. We should be voting today on legislation to invest in critical infrastructure projects and support 1.8 million jobs nationwide. We should send legislation to the President to ensure a strong construction season for an industry facing 17.1 percent unemployment. Instead, the Republican Leadership insists on further delay.

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