[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 104 (Thursday, July 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1238-E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4348, MOVING AHEAD FOR PROGRESS IN THE 21ST 
                              CENTURY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Moving 
Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. After nearly two years of 
Republican control, there is finally a true jobs bill on the floor of 
the House.
  MAP-21 will protect and create 3 million American jobs. This two year 
transportation authorization will also provide much-needed certainty 
for state departments of transportation, construction companies and 
construction workers after nearly three years without a long term 
authorization.
  Passage of this bill was inexcusably delayed by House Republicans for 
four months--first due to their refusal to negotiate with the Senate 
and then, due to a long list of misguided policy riders. I am pleased 
that a prohibition against coal ash regulation and many other unrelated 
riders were stripped from the final bill.
  While I support the underlying legislation, I am concerned about 
reduced support for bicycle and pedestrian projects such as Safe Routes 
to School. This funding is necessary to create a modern, multimodal 
transportation system that gives commuters and families more choices. 
Under MAP-21 funding for these programs is cut by 34 percent. This is a 
disappointing step backwards at a time when Americans are seeing their 
budgets' under pressure from high gas prices. Moreover, the 
authorization timeframe should be longer, and the overall funding level 
for this bill should be higher in order to meet the country's mounting 
infrastructure needs.
  This legislation represents a compromise between the House and Senate 
that is far worse than the original Senate bill. It is long overdue and 
far from perfect. Still, despite

[[Page E1239]]

these shortcomings, I will vote for H.R. 4348. I refuse to gamble with 
the 3 million jobs that are at stake in this bill. Our country needs 
these jobs and our communities need the predictable funding this bill 
provides.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4348.

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