[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MOVING AHEAD FOR PROGRESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues here in 
the House to take action and create jobs by bringing Moving Ahead for 
Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP 21, to the House floor for a vote.
  Yesterday, for the second time this week, the Republican leadership 
pulled a short-term highway extension bill. Time is running out, and 
the ninth extension will be expiring this Saturday, March 31. If 
Congress does not act by Saturday, millions of construction jobs will 
be at risk. Gas taxes will not be collected, which can add up to over 
$90 million a day.
  Two weeks ago, MAP 21 successfully passed the Senate with a 
bipartisan vote of 74 22. While it is not a perfect bill, MAP 21 is 
fully paid for and is estimated to save 1.8 million jobs and create up 
to 1 million more jobs. While I would prefer a 5-year transportation 
bill, MAP 21 is legislation that both Republicans and Democrats can 
support. A transportation bill will not only improve our infrastructure 
but will provide jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to bring to the floor MAP 21 for a 
vote.

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