Transportation for America urges House members to end delay and bring a stronger, bipartisan package to the floor for debate
March 23, 2012By David Goldberg
As of this morning, more than 100 House members had signed on as co-sponsors of HR 14, the House version of the Senate’s bipartisan transportation bill. Persuading the House to take up something like the Senate’s bipartisan measure, sooner rather than later, is probably the best chance we have that an actual authorization can be adopted during this election year.
For now, though, Speaker John Boehner has said he will not bring the Senate bill to the floor, as he had earlier vowed to do, but will instead seek a three-month extension beyond the March 31 deadline to continue to press for a GOP-only bill. (Pop quiz: If you were a college professor and the Speaker was in your office asking for a ninth extension on his term paper, would you a) give him just one more try; b) tell him to meet the existing deadline, or c) flunk him on the spot?)
In response to these developments, Transportation for America Director James Corless today issued this statement today:
“With the introduction of HR 14, the House now has a more solid, bipartisan bill to bring to the floor for debate before current authorization expires March 31. House leaders have indicated that they are seeking further delay in order to continue the pursuit of a partisan bill that stands little chance of ultimate passage. Refusing to compromise while stalling progress on authorization would do Americans a great disservice, introducing uncertainty just as workers are hoping to start construction season.
HR 14 provides an improved overall set of programs, and can be improved further with additional reforms that can win bipartisan support, provided House leaders bring it to the floor. House members deserve a chance to debate a robust bill and complete the authorization job, so Americans can get to theirs.”
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