Boswell Applauds Passage of Highway Bill

Statement

Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-3) today praised his fellow colleagues on the Highway Bill conference committee on reaching a deal on the Surface Transportation and Infrastructure reauthorization and it passing through the full House.

"I would like to thank my fellow conference committee members for meeting halfway. We on the conference reached a bipartisan, bicameral compromise on what I believe is a strong bill that will be the most substantial job-creating legislation this year," Boswell said. "Though it's not perfect, this bill restores much-needed certainty, creates jobs, repairs our roads and bridges, invests in our infrastructure, and strengthens our economy."

Included in the legislation is Congressman Boswell's veterans' preference provision, which would combat ongoing high unemployment among America's veterans by providing them the opportunity to continue to serve our nation by rebuilding our deficient transportation infrastructure. The measure would requirethe federal government and recipients of its transportation funding to give veterans preference in hiring for construction projects.

"I am pleased my veterans' preference language was included in the final bill. Our returning military men and women face a great deal of challenges when returning home -- one of the toughest is finding employment," Boswell added. "This will help our veterans return to civilian life and ease the high unemployment among our veterans."

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