Highway Trust Fund

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Monday I held a press conference at a bridge in Perth Amboy, in my district, to highlight the dire need to renew the highway trust fund before it expires at the end of this month. This bridge, like thousands of other bridges and roads throughout the country, is in dire need of repair.

And let me be as clear as I can be: unless Republicans in Congress join with Democrats in our commitment to invest in our Nation's infrastructure, not only will our roads and bridges continue to deteriorate, jobs will be lost, and the economy will suffer.

Ever since Republicans took control of the House in January 2011, they have shown neglect and indifference towards the Nation's infrastructure needs. In fact, since Republicans assumed the majority in January 2011, the Republican-led Ways and Means Committee has not held a single hearing on financing options for the highway trust fund. All this, despite the U.S. being ranked 16th in quality of infrastructure, behind Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and others, according to the World Economic Forum; and the country received a D-plus from civil engineers for our infrastructure nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues in Congress to quickly extend the highway trust fund. We only have another 6 legislative days. Jobs, economic strength, and the safety and health of our transportation system are at stake.

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