[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 288 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 288
Affirming the importance of the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust
Fund.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 29, 2019
Mr. Braun submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Affirming the importance of the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust
Fund.
Whereas, in July 2019, the public debt of the United States was more than
$22,000,000,000,000, increasing each year by a Federal budget deficit of
nearly $1,000,000,000,000;
Whereas the Federal Government is facing shortfalls in several Federal trust
funds, including the Highway Trust Fund, which is expected to reach
insolvency in July 2021;
Whereas the infrastructure of the United States needs substantial investment in
order to continue supporting the growing economy of the United States;
Whereas, according to a report published in 2015 by the Federal Highway
Administration, 20 percent of the Federal-aid highways in the United
States were in poor condition;
Whereas short-term extensions providing funding to the Highway Trust Fund do not
provide the certainty needed by States and local governments to enter
into long-term roadbuilding contracts; and
Whereas short-term extensions providing funding to the Highway Trust Fund, based
solely on deficit spending, exacerbate the problem described in the
preceding whereas clause and only serve to postpone solving the problem:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) the Highway Trust Fund should achieve long-term
solvency through user fees; and
(2) any spending on Federal highway programs during the
next reauthorization period that exceeds current Highway Trust
Fund revenues and balances should be fully offset.
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