Sam Johnson Introduces Right of Way for American Drivers Act: Roads More Important than Buggy Trails and Bike Paths

Press Release

Last evening U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) and Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced the Right of Way for American Drivers Act. This bill takes an important and commonsense step towards putting drivers first by ending one of Washington's gas tax diversions.

"It's not news that North Texas is booming, and I'm sure it also comes as no surprise that most commuters drive -- in fact, over 85% of American commuters are drivers," said Johnson. "And yet every time commuters fill up at the pump, some of their gas tax dollars go towards projects like buggy trails and bike paths rather than where they are needed most -- roads and bridges. My bill would right this wrong. I thank Congresswoman Hartzler for joining me in this commonsense effort."

"From 1992 to 2013, over $1.3 billion was spent on landscaping and scenic beautification," Hartzler continued. "That's $1.3 billion that could have been spent repairing the over 60,000 "structurally deficient" bridges -- more than 3,300 of which are in Missouri -- or the miles of highways that continue to plague our commutes and our vehicles. My bill will free funds from extraneous projects, allowing them to go where they are needed -- upgrading and improving our national infrastructure -- and I thank Congressman Johnson for joining me in straightening out our transportation funding priorities."

The Right of Way for American Drivers Act effort, which would repeal the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), is supported by Americans for Prosperity.

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