Investing in A New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lipinski for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, my amendment is very simple. What it does, it directs funding for road crossings at international bridges.

An area like my hometown in Laredo, which is the largest inland port, handles more trucks than any other place across the country, handles more trains than any other place across the country. In fact, it is the number one truck crossing and rail crossing in the country. In fact, 60 percent of all the trade between the U.S. and Mexico comes through one port, and that is the Port of Laredo.

This grant money is going to be important to make sure that we help fix those grade crossings at international crossings because, again, when a train stops in the middle of a street for hours and hours and hours, that creates traffic congestion. We have to make sure that we allow trade to go through but at the same time not stop the people going to school, work, or going on an emergency basis.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to pass this amendment and ask for approval of this bill.

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