[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FULLY FUND SAFE TEA-LU

  (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to fully support SAFE TEA-LU 
funding at its authorized level for fiscal year 2007.
  If, as expected, the House passes a joint resolution extending 
funding for government programs through October 1, it is important that 
we allow the highway funds to increase from the 2006 level to the 
authorized 2007 level.
  Federal highway funding is very important to all States, and my State 
of West Virginia is no exception. Significant progress is being made on 
construction of a new four-lane U.S. 35 and on Corridor H, and 
transportation improvements are needed across everyone's district.
  Keeping highway funding steady at the 2006 level would stop a 
scheduled $3.4 billion increase that State highway departments, workers 
and motorists have planned on and expected for this year.
  The President's fiscal year 2007 budget, the House-passed 
transportation appropriation bill and the Senate appropriation bill 
called for $39.1 billion for highway construction. Failing to allow an 
increase would cost West Virginia $57.7 million, and 2,740 construction 
jobs.

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