Hoyer: House Republicans Should Stop Delaying Highway Bill

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the passage of the Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees on the Surface Transportation Extension Act, which requires House and Senate conferees to produce a surface transportation conference report by no later than Friday, June 22:

"With thousands of construction jobs on the line and businesses in dire need of certainty, House Republicans should not delay passing a surface transportation bill any longer. I commend Rep. Tim Walz for his leadership in introducing a motion requiring House and Senate negotiators to produce a joint version of a bill by this Friday.

"That date will mark 100 days since the Senate passed a bipartisan compromise supported by three quarters of Senators - including 22 Republicans - and that bill should have passed the House weeks ago. We cannot continue simply to pass temporary, short-term extensions, which do not provide businesses that rely on our infrastructure with the certainty they need to expand and create jobs. We must act soon, or risk our recovery stalling.

"I am encouraged that 198 Republicans joined with Democrats to support Rep. Walz's motion and recognize the urgency behind passing a long-term transportation reauthorization. I call on Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Cantor to allow a vote on the Senate's bipartisan compromise and to work with Democrats to invest in infrastructure that can support economic competitiveness and job growth."

Source