Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012

Floor Speech

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4281. This three-month transportation authorization extension does nothing to address the long-term needs of America's crumbling infrastructure.

The National Governors Association is arguing against this unnecessary, shortsighted approach, saying: ``a string of short-term extensions will only increase uncertainty for state and local governments and the private sector.'' Likewise, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said earlier this week: ``Frankly, there is no length of extension adequate for the construction industry, its workers, and the business community in general.''

Earlier this month, the Senate passed a two-year transportation authorization with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 74 22. This Senate bill will save or create over two million jobs, including 28,100 jobs in Minnesota according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. If the Republican House leadership brought this legislation to the floor today it would pass with bipartisan support and reach the President's desk for signature prior to the expiration of the current authorization on Saturday.

However, the Republican majority is rejecting this bipartisan opportunity, which is guaranteed to authorize federal transportation programs at current levels for two years. Republican leaders refuse to even bring the Senate bill to the floor for a vote. Instead, they continue wasting time in negotiations with extreme Tea Party Members in their own caucus in an effort to bring a hyper-partisan, job-destroying transportation bill to the floor. The Republican transportation bill, H.R. 7, would cut funding for 45 states, including over $313 million in cuts to Minnesota, and eliminate over 500,000 jobs nationwide. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, a former Republican Congressman from Illinois, told Politico that H.R. 7 ``is the most partisan transportation bill that I have ever seen.'' He added, ``It's the worst transportation bill I've ever seen during 35 years of public service.''

I agree with Secretary LaHood. Minnesota's economy and workers would be significantly harmed by H.R. 7. The construction industry in my state suffered the most significant job losses of any sector during the recent recession. Construction jobs are again being added in Minnesota but, as of March, only one quarter of the 46,000 construction jobs lost in the recession have been recovered. This Republican transportation bill would reverse the positive momentum for Minnesota's economy and throw thousands of workers back on the bench.

These devastating economic consequences are unacceptable and completely avoidable. I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 7 and this short-term extension so the House can instead vote on the bipartisan Senate reauthorization to put Americans to work rebuilding our nation's infrastructure.

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