OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Supporting National Public Works Week

Floor Speech

Date: May 5, 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Transportation Infrastructure


SUPPORTING NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK -- (House of Representatives - May 05, 2009)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, investment in the Nation's highway, bridge and transit infrastructure has not kept up with growing demands on the system. The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commissions reported that the United States needs to invest up to $340 billion annually over the next 50 years to upgrade the Nation's transportation network.

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has jurisdiction over our water transportation system, which consists of 926 coastal and inland harbors maintained by the Corps of Engineers and 25,000 miles of inland and coastal commercial waterways. If we do not keep our harbors and waterways operating efficiently, we threaten our economic prosperity.

To meet these needs, as well the need for flood protection and environmental restoration, passing a water resources development act for 2010 should be high on the committee's agenda. According to separate studies conducted by the Congressional Budget Office, EPA and municipal groups, the current rate of capital investment will not keep our wastewater treatment systems operational. State and local governments are spending approximately $10 billion a year in capital investments in wastewater infrastructure. Most of this funding comes from the local taxpayers. However, to meet the needs of communities all over the United States, our Nation should be doubling that spending.

We can't continue to take our wastewater treatment facilities for granted. Not only are they critical to protecting our health and the environment; they are critical to protecting our economy and our way of life. Public infrastructure plays a critical role in enhancing our quality of life, improving our environment and contributes to our economic prosperity.

We take these systems and the professionals, engineers and administrators for granted. So it is important for Congress to recognize the contribution they make to ensuring America remains the world's premier economic power.

I appreciate Mr. Oberstar in bringing this resolution forward. I urge all Members to support H. Res. 313.

I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward