[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                LONG TERM FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY TRUST FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2015

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of a 
long-term surface transportation bill.
   Right now Americans are looking to Congress for REAL bipartisan 
solutions to fund and upgrade our deteriorating infrastructure system. 
As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates 
may become, it's time to for us to move past the senseless chatter and 
to stop kicking the can down the road.
   We must get serious about fixing America's infrastructure and 
establishing long-term funding for the Highway Trust Fund. This is not 
the time for partisan politics. We need to work together for the 
benefit of the men and women who sent us here.
   Yesterday, the House passed a bill that was nothing more than 
another ``Band-Aid'' for a much larger problem. The American Society of 
Civil Engineers estimates that 1 out of every 9 bridges in the U.S. is 
structurally deficient, and gave our overall infrastructure a ``D-.''
   An alarming 54 percent of all major U.S. roads are in poor or 
mediocre condition, and these roads account for 1 in 3 fatal traffic 
accidents. In my home state of Alabama alone, driving on roads in need 
of repair cost motorists $1.2 billion a year.
   Now is the time for a lasting solution to this important issue. Yet, 
here we are, at the end of May, and we are no closer to crafting a 
long-term solution to invest in our roads, bridges, and rails than we 
were this time last year.
   The benefits to investing in our highways, bridges, railroads, and 
other transit systems are clear. By building the infrastructure of 
tomorrow, we would create thousands of good-paying jobs that help more 
hard-working Americans earn a living.
   A solid transportation system is necessary to quickly move goods, 
which will help further grow our economy. This is vital if America is 
to compete in the 21st century global marketplace.
   I urge my colleagues to work together to develop a long-term plan 
that will improve our aging infrastructure, encourage job creation, and 
strengthen our nation's economic development.

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