AASHTO Journal, 1 March 2013
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) spoke in succession during AASHTO’s Washington Briefing luncheon Thursday, but their message was the same: bipartisanship isn’t always easy, but it should be on issues such as transportation.
Shuster, after discussing his priorities for the coming year including the Water Resources Development Act, said he wanted to see transportation again become a bipartisan issue. Boxer agreed with Shuster.
“This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats,” she said. She stated that given the partisanship everywhere in Washington, one area everyone should be able to agree is transportation.
Boxer and Shuster also agreed that all funding options need to be on the table.
“I believe that you have to look at every option out there,” Shuster said. “I don’t rule anything out, I don’t rule anything in. I think we have to have this dialogue to understand what’s the best way to continue this.”
“It’s wonderful to hear everything’s on the table,” Boxer said.
Moving forward, both Shuster and Boxer stressed the importance of educating their colleagues on why there is and should be a federal role in transportation, as well as the benefits of partnerships.
“It is absolutely critical that the folks in this room and across the country are part of the messaging and education process that goes on not only for the American people but also members of Congress,” Shuster said. “I see my job is to educate and reinforce that there is a federal role in transportation.”
Boxer also alluded to getting the word out while she also thanked AASHTO for its help in making last summer’s surface transportation bill a reality.
“AASHTO played a critical role and tremendous leadership [in passing MAP-21],” she said to attendees. “Know this organization was crucial every single time I was about to give up… You, AASHTO, were my sounding board.”
Video coverage of the speeches is available at TransportationTV.org