The $338 billion measure will authorize highway spending for six years but includes funding for only three years. Today’s vote sends a strong message that Washington officials can find a way to work together to help address crucial problems like aging roads, decaying transit systems and unsafe bridges.
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In this photo taken August 30, 2013, ironworkers secure a cross…
This measure combines the Highway policy in H.R. 3763 with the offsets contained in the Senate passed transportation funding bill. However, an amendment adopted at the last minute could provide another $40 billion of spending, according to published reports.
In another provision, the 600-page legislation would also revive the Export-Import Bank, which arranges loans for foreign buyers of US products. “I commend Chairman Shuster, Chairman Graves, and Ranking Member Norton for this bill and look forward to the upcoming conference with the Senate”.
Now, the House has passed legislation after more than 100 amendments had been offered. “If it were to flawless the bill, then the authors would have been working with us six months ago or three months ago”, said Rep. Frank Lucas, a Republican.
The bill includes about $400 million in federal funds for Montana highways this year, increasing to almost $450 million by 2021.
Bottom line: the House highway and transit bill would simply perpetuate a broken system by relying on gimmicks, dubious revenue increases and promises of future action all the while providing for the reauthorization of a defunct slush fund for corporate welfare.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., noted that former President Ronald Reagan in 1982 and seven Republican states this year agreed to raise gas taxes. “Unfortunately, both the House and Senate bills envision a continued prominent role for new Interstate tolls despite their inefficiency and unpopularity, and we hope a final bill resolves that issue by avoiding the expansion of Interstate tolling authority and, preferably, by eliminating existing loopholes”. In a letter Tuesday, the organizations urged senators and representatives to repeal the longstanding ban on US oil exports.
Conservatives inside and outside of Congress seem inclined to withhold judgement and give Speaker Ryan an opportunity to show he will advance a conservative agenda, but the highway funding bill is an inauspicious beginning to what was supposed to be a new day for House Republicans.
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The drop in the uninsured rate is a bright spot for the Obama administration.
