[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E663-E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 4348, SURFACE TRANSPORTATION 
                     EXTENSION ACT OF 2012, PART II

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Democratic 
motion to instruct conferees on the surface transportation 
reauthorization bill (H.R. 4348 and S. 1813).
  While the Senate bill is not perfect, it does provide certainty to 
State DOTs, transit agencies, and contractors that will help create and 
sustain jobs for out-of-work Americans. Further, it creates or saves 
more than two million jobs and strengthens our economy. The legislation 
passed the Senate by a vote of 74 to 22, with strong Democratic and 
Republican support.

[[Page E664]]

  Adopting this motion to instruct will allow the conferees to make 
technical corrections to improve the legislation enabling Congress to 
move quickly to finalize a robust bill, as the construction season is 
already underway.
  Investing in our roads, bridges, waterways and rail systems creates 
good-paying jobs now while making our transportation system more 
efficient for decades into the future. Our backlog of maintenance needs 
alone is staggering, and we need to address it or continue to 
jeopardize our economic future.
  I urge my colleagues to support the motion to instruct conferees.

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