[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6590]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HIGHWAY TRUST FUND

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Monday I held a press conference at a 
bridge in Perth Amboy, in my district, to highlight the dire need to 
renew the highway trust fund before it expires at the end of this 
month. This bridge, like thousands of other bridges and roads 
throughout the country, is in dire need of repair.
  And let me be as clear as I can be: unless Republicans in Congress 
join with Democrats in our commitment to invest in our Nation's 
infrastructure, not only will our roads and bridges continue to 
deteriorate, jobs will be lost, and the economy will suffer.
  Ever since Republicans took control of the House in January 2011, 
they have shown neglect and indifference towards the Nation's 
infrastructure needs. In fact, since Republicans assumed the majority 
in January 2011, the Republican-led Ways and Means Committee has not 
held a single hearing on financing options for the highway trust fund. 
All this, despite the U.S. being ranked 16th in quality of 
infrastructure, behind Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, 
and others, according to the World Economic Forum; and the country 
received a D-plus from civil engineers for our infrastructure 
nationwide.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues in Congress to quickly 
extend the highway trust fund. We only have another 6 legislative days. 
Jobs, economic strength, and the safety and health of our 
transportation system are at stake.

                          ____________________