Durbin: Congress and the President Must Work Together to Pass Highway Bill This Year
DURBIN: CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT MUST WORK TOGETHER TO PASS HIGHWAY BILL THIS YEAR
Friday, January 28, 2005
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged President Bush to make the reauthorization of the nation's comprehensive transportation programs a top priority this year. Durbin made his request in a letter to the White House and stressed that the President's budget must provide adequate funding to address a significant backlog of transportation-related projects nationwide.
"Reauthorization of [the highway construction bill] is one of the most important job and economic stimuli that the 109th Congress can pass," wrote Durbin. "We must work quickly to deliver the best bill at the highest possible funding level. We should not let further delay stand in the way of transportation infrastructure improvement, economic development, and much-needed job creation."
Earlier this week, Durbin met with Tim Martin, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). At their meeting, Secretary Martin told Durbin that passage of the highway bill (known as TEA-21) is critical to the State of Illinois and that any funding level less than $300 billion would prevent the state from addressing additional highway needs. Martin also informed the senator that timing was critical. According to IDOT estimates, if the bill does not meet with Congressional approval in the next few months, Illinois could not move forward with critical construction projects in the 2005 construction season.
In his letter to the President, Durbin raised Martin's concerns about losing another construction season due to delays in Congress and the Administration.
"Congress and the Administration must work together to provide the funding necessary to support reauthorization of TEA-21 this year," Durbin wrote. "The fiscal year 2006 budget, with full funding for transportation programs, is a first step. I stand ready to work with you to support our national transportation infrastructure." January 28, 2005
The Honorable George W. Bush The President The White House Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
In recent months, much has been written about our failure to enact a comprehensive reauthorization of TEA-21. It is my hope that Congress will pass this legislation, at or close to the Senate level of $318 billion with meaningful formula guarantees for the states, before the current short-term extension expires on May 31, 2005.
However, in order for Congress to proceed on this important measure, the Administration must make it clear that comprehensive transportation reauthorization is a priority this year. And the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget, which we expect to receive on February 7, must provide adequate funding to address the significant backlog of transportation infrastructure projects nationwide.
Reauthorization of TEA-21 is one of the most important job and economic stimuli that the 109th Congress can pass. We must work quickly and cooperatively to deliver the best bill at the highest possible funding level. We should not let further delay stand in the way of real transportation infrastructure improvement, economic development, and much-needed job creation.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has stated that any reauthorization funding level less than $300 billion will not allow the state to address critical highway needs. IDOT and the Illinois road builders have also conceded that even if a conference report were to pass in the next few months, new construction jobs would not be created and additional projects would not move forward in the 2005 construction season. Thus, we would lose another construction season. However, without a bill that provides proper highway and transit funding, states will lose future construction seasons and the jobs and economic benefits associated with them.
Congress and the Administration must work together to provide the funding necessary to support reauthorization of TEA-21 this year. The Fiscal Year 2006 Budget submission, with full funding for transportation programs, is the first step.
I stand ready to work with you to support our national transportation infrastructure.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin United States Senator
http://durbin.senate.gov/releases.cfm