[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      LET US SOLVE THE INEQUITIES IN THE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT

  (Mr. FLAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, as we debate the transportation 
reauthorization bill today, I think we need to abide by one simple 
principle: solutions for transportation safety, congestion, and 
pollution and transit should not be determined by which Members face 
difficult campaigns or which Members sit on influential committees. 
These kinds of determinations are being made in H.R. 3550 unless we 
make some changes to it.
  This approach to funding is inconsistent, especially with the stated 
objectives of the bill, and it results in inequitable distribution of 
funding between the States.
  As we debate the reauthorization, we need to consider solutions that 
give States discretion and flexibility in the use of funding, financed 
by their own citizens and highway users.
  I have an amendment before the House today that would neither strike 
nor prevent Members from securing earmarks for their district. What it 
would do, however, is prevent those States that benefit 
disproportionately from earmarks from drawing funding away from States 
that, in spite of a few earmarks, end up faring much worse.
  I urge support for this amendment.

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