[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H6225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INVEST IN AMERICAN WORKERS AND NATION-BUILDING AT HOME
(Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, today, the House will consider
legislation to prevent the highway trust fund from going broke. This
action is critical, as a broke highway trust fund will result in no
highway trust fund and will further result in the loss of hundreds of
thousands of jobs this construction season. Unfortunately, the measures
under consideration in the House and Senate are weak, temporary fixes.
To effectively address America's crumbling infrastructure, the
American Society of Civil Engineers estimates the need for $3.6
trillion by 2020. Historically, this type of bold investment has
created jobs and transformed the American economy. When the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law, only 7 percent of
the funds dealt with infrastructure projects. These projects accounted
for nearly two-thirds of jobs created under the Act.
Congress is failing the American people by not making the investments
we need to stay globally competitive. Let's invest in American workers
and American manufacturers and make a real commitment to nation-
building right here at home.
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