[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 53 (Friday, March 30, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E514-E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 
4281. This three-month transportation authorization extension does 
nothing to address the long-term needs of America's crumbling 
infrastructure.
  The National Governors Association is arguing against this 
unnecessary, shortsighted approach, saying: ``a string of short-term 
extensions will only increase uncertainty for state and local 
governments and the private sector.'' Likewise, the U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce said earlier this week: ``Frankly, there is no length of 
extension adequate for the construction industry, its workers, and the 
business community in general.''
  Earlier this month, the Senate passed a two-year transportation 
authorization with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 74 22. This 
Senate bill will save or create over two million jobs, including 28,100 
jobs in Minnesota according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. 
If the Republican House leadership brought this legislation to the 
floor today it would pass with bipartisan support and reach the 
President's desk for signature prior to the expiration of the current 
authorization on Saturday.
  However, the Republican majority is rejecting this bipartisan 
opportunity, which is guaranteed to authorize federal transportation 
programs at current levels for two years. Republican leaders refuse to 
even bring the Senate bill to the floor for a vote. Instead, they 
continue wasting time in negotiations with extreme Tea Party Members in 
their own caucus in an

[[Page E515]]

effort to bring a hyper-partisan, job-destroying transportation bill to 
the floor. The Republican transportation bill, H.R. 7, would cut 
funding for 45 states, including over $313 million in cuts to 
Minnesota, and eliminate over 500,000 jobs nationwide. U.S. Secretary 
of Transportation Ray LaHood, a former Republican Congressman from 
Illinois, told Politico that H.R. 7 ``is the most partisan 
transportation bill that I have ever seen.'' He added, ``It's the worst 
transportation bill I've ever seen during 35 years of public service.''
  I agree with Secretary LaHood. Minnesota's economy and workers would 
be significantly harmed by H.R. 7. The construction industry in my 
state suffered the most significant job losses of any sector during the 
recent recession. Construction jobs are again being added in Minnesota 
but, as of March, only one quarter of the 46,000 construction jobs lost 
in the recession have been recovered. This Republican transportation 
bill would reverse the positive momentum for Minnesota's economy and 
throw thousands of workers back on the bench.
  These devastating economic consequences are unacceptable and 
completely avoidable. I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 7 and this 
short-term extension so the House can instead vote on the bipartisan 
Senate reauthorization to put Americans to work rebuilding our nation's 
infrastructure.

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