Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 2353, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015 but with reservations.

I support Chairman SHUSTER's efforts to ensure the Highway Bill does not expire and cost the economy jobs and cause important projects to stop progress.

I am, however, disappointed we once again face this issue.

We need to pass a long-term highway bill so that our communities and businesses have the certainty they need to invest in our future.

I understand the fiscal challenges we face but I believe that we must do more to improve our nation's transportation system.

Transportation funding, particularly for highways and transit, is particularly important for my constituents and the entirety of the Greater Houston area.

We have a congestion problem in Houston.

We have done a lot to reduce this congestion, but more must be done.

We also have the largest port for foreign tonnage and largest petrochemical complex in our country along the banks of the Port of Houston.

In the years ahead, we will face a much higher traffic volume due to population growth and the expansion of the Panama Canal, which will bring more truck traffic and economic development to the area.

In order for Houston and our Port to continue to be a hub for commerce, we must strengthen our rail and road infrastructure.

Both a successful port and a growing local economy rely on well maintained roads and bridges.

Communities around our country must improve its transportation infrastructure in order to encourage businesses and economic development.

While I understand the strain the Highway Trust Fund is experiencing, it is important that we fund important highway projects throughout the country.

We are at a critical time for our nation in terms of transportation funding.

We must fix bridges, expand highways, and increase the capacity of our infrastructure.

Highway and transit projects are important to our constituents, so they can get to work and school and they are important to our businesses so they can move commerce.

Everyone wins when we increase our investments in our transportation infrastructure.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2353 but I also urge my colleagues to fix the problem and craft a long-term highway bill for the benefit of all our citizens.

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