Senate Unanimously Passes Sen. Rand Paul's Amendment to Designate Interstate I-169 in Western Kentucky to the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senator Rand Paul's amendment to H.R. 2577, the Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The amendment will designate the southern portion Edward T. Breathitt Parkway as Interstate 169, which as a result will increase economic development and opportunities for thousands of Kentuckians.

The Transportation and Housing Appropriations Bill itself, with the inclusion of Sen. Paul's amendment, passed the Senate earlier this afternoon with a vote of 89-8.

"Many of our nation's roads and bridges are in deep need of repairs and replacement. I have always made a point to fight against international infrastructure spending and instead to refocus on our needs here in Kentucky. My amendment will designate the southern portion of Edward T. Breathitt Parkway as Interstate 169, which as a result will increase economic development and opportunities for thousands of Kentuckians," Sen. Paul said.

The amendment has gained support throughout Western Kentucky, including Mayor Carter Hendricks of Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

"We are excited that Senator Paul has led the initiative to help achieve interstate designation for the southern section of the Pennyrile Parkway. For many years, our community leadership has advocated for this very project and we look forward to seeing it come to fruition and to reaping the economic benefits of interstate status for our Parkway," Mayor Carter Hendricks said.

Sen. Paul also introduced an amendment to the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Bill, which would increase funding for highway projects by approximately $8 billion by reclaiming unspent foreign aid from last year.

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