Congressman Garamendi Cosponsors Transformational Transportation Bill: The GROW AMERICA Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), together with 19 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Democrats, introduced H.R. 2410, the Administration's GROW AMERICA Act. The bill is a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill that provides robust funding to address our nation's infrastructure crisis. Democrats offered this six-year, $478 billion bill as Congress must develop a long-term transportation bill this summer.

"I am proud to support this bold new vision for the future of American infrastructure and mobility. The GROW AMERICA Act is a smart investment in job-creation, transportation safety, business growth, and environmental protection," said Congressman Garamendi, Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. "We need this type of program in order to rebuild and renew our crumbling infrastructure, to provide economic certainty, and to make the U.S. more competitive in a global marketplace."

A recent study by the Department of Transportation, Beyond Traffic, confirmed that America's infrastructure is failing. Drivers spend more than 40 hours annually stuck in traffic. Sixty-five percent of the roads they drive on are in less than good condition; one out of four bridges they cross needs to be replaced; and 45% of Americans do not have access to public transit. The report also revealed that, over the next 30 years, Americans will ask more of our transportation system than ever before. The United States' population will grow by 70 million; freight traffic will increase by 45 percent. Click here for information on California's infrastructure needs and the increased funds the GROW AMERICA Act would bring to the state.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the latest in a long series of last minute, short-term transportation bill extensions. The stop-and-start nature of these patches makes long-term transportation planning near impossible and imposes a cost in jobs, efficiency, and construction project price tags.

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