123 House Republicans Urge Leadership to Move Transportation Bill

A majority of House Republicans signed a letter last Friday addressed to their leaders urging them to move a multiyear surface transportation bill to support economic growth across the country.”We support the efforts to provide a long-term sustainable revenue source for our nation’s transportation network,” according to the letter drafted by Reps. Tom Reed, R-New York, and Reid Ribble, R-Wisconsin, and signed by 121 other members of the House Republican Caucus. “To repair and improve our infrastructure, we must have responsible spending at levels that truly support long-term economic growth and job creation while retaining our commitment to conservative principles.”

The letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio; House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Virginia; and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-California, was sent one day after Boehner announced House Republicans will introduce a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bill “in the coming weeks” and “hope to move the legislation through the House before the end of the year.” (see Nov. 4 AASHTO Journal story) The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee marked up its version of a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bill Wednesday. (see related story)

“Uncertainty over tax policy and regulatory burdens are impediments to job growth, but so is uncertainty over major federal infrastructure programs,” the letter states. “Republicans recognize the importance of our nation’s infrastructure. We know a strong transportation network is needed to accommodate economic growth. Specifically, we believe that Congress should pass a multiyear reauthorization of the federal surface transportation programs.”

Members who signed the letter noted they support transportation infrastructure investment “because the economy needs a national system to safely deliver goods and people from place to place and to effectively compete in the global marketplace.” They noted federal highway and transit programs need “long-term funding certainty.”

The letter is available at bit.ly/HouseGOP110411.