Rep. Boozman Tapped to Help Create Highway Bill Compromise

Rep. Boozman Tapped to Help Create Highway Bill Compromise

Congressman appointed to conference committee; First meeting this Thursday

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today announced that Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) appointed him as one of the members to help formulate a compromise between the two different versions of the highway funding bill passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Boozman will join the other House and Senate members that have been appointed to the highway bill conference committee at their first meeting on Thursday, June 9th, to begin work on fashioning the compromise.

"I am extremely honored to be selected by Speaker Hastert to help negotiate a compromise highway bill," said Boozman. "Highway funding is extremely important to the Third District of Arkansas and I am very eager to finalize this bill so that we can give Arkansas' infrastructure budget a much-needed shot in the arm."

In March, Boozman, a member of the House Transportation Committee, supported and the House passed a bill that allocates $284 billion to our nation's highway and transit programs over the next six years. The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), also commonly referred to as the Highway Bill, overwhelmingly passed the House with only nine members voting against it. Under this legislation, Arkansas is slated to receive $2.7 billion in highway funds over the next six years. The Third District of Arkansas is also set to receive assistance for specific projects that have been earmarked in TEA-LU.

In May, the Senate passed their version of the Highway Bill. The Senate-version of the Highway Bill allocates even more money for the nation's transportation needs, which in turn would mean more money for Arkansas' roads. The next step is for members of the House and Senate to come together and hash out the differences between the two bills.

"Aside from just the funding level, there are a number of differences in the two bills that need to be resolved," said Boozman. "This bill is too important to Arkansas for us to not find solutions to these issues."

The differences include fixing the formula that guarantees every state receives an equitable share of every dollar they contribute to the Highway Trust Fund; how much control states have in the distribution of highway funds; and how to allocate funds from specific pots of money.

"These accounts are important to Arkansas because I-49 is eligible for significant funding from them," said Boozman. "Completion of I-49 in Arkansas, which would include portions through Fort Smith and the Bella Vista Bypass up north, will result in less congestion, added safety and more jobs and money coming into our state. It is my goal to get as much of that money as possible allocated to I-49."

Once the conference committee finishes work on the compromise, both houses must pass the final version. It is then sent to President George W. Bush for his signature into law.

"Our region continues to be one of the fastest growing in the country and this funding will help our municipalities deal with the strain that has been placed on our infrastructure," said Boozman. "I look forward to completing work on this bill, sending it to President Bush so he can sign it into law and get some relief to Arkansas' commuters."

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=28575