[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SOME PROBLEMS WITH CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2400

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                        HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, today, the House of Representatives passed 
landmark legislation to improve our Nation's highways and transit 
systems. This legislation is an absolutely vital investment in our 
infrastructure. In my District, Highway 21--the deadliest road in 
Missouri and possibly the deadliest road in America--stands to see 
improvements that will save the lives of children and adults who drive 
on it daily.
  But, there's a problem with this legislation. I am outraged that some 
of these very needed investments in our transportation system are 
funded on the backs of veterans--just before the day we honor the 
memories of those who have fallen for our country. It is also 
regrettable that additional funding was provided at the expense of our 
kids, who will lose vital child care at a time when we should be 
increasing our investment in children. The majority of my Democratic 
colleagues object to these cuts.
  It is wrong that we have been forced to choose between safe roads and 
veterans health care, child welfare and other vital investments. The 
Administration proposed other ways to fund this bill, but Republican 
leaders refused to consider them.
  I voted for the Democratic instruction to the negotiators of this 
agreement that we not use veterans health care as an offset for highway 
spending. The Republican leaders ignored this motion. Our veterans 
deserve better treatment than this.
  I will support this legislation because of Highway 21 and the memory 
of those who have lost their lives on this road--dubbed Blood Alley. 
Action on a multi-year highway bill has already been delayed for 
months, and further delays could have serious adverse consequences on 
vital road and transit repairs across the country. But I believe we 
could have done much better than we have done today--and that we have 
simply created new problems that will have to be addressed in the 
future.

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