House Transportation Bill Sets Excellent Priorities; Reforms & Streamlines Federal Highway Programs, Eliminates Earmarks

American Highway Users Alliance Calls for Bipartisan Support

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today American Highway Users Alliance President & CEO Greg Cohen praised Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure for releasing a new surface transportation authorization bill that will stabilize current levels of highway funding, allow for long-term planning, prioritize critical transportation priorities, eliminate earmarks, increase State flexibility, reduce federal mandates, consolidate and reduce the number of small programs, cut through bureaucratic red tape, and fund critical research. 

The bill would establish annual funding levels for highway programs from $42.6 billion to $43.5 billion between 2013 and 2016.

The transportation titles will be incorporated into H.R. 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act.  

Chairman Mica's bill is full of important reforms that are critical to reassuring taxpayers that federal-aid funding for highways is invested prudently and not wasted on earmarks, lost in Washington bureaucracy, or mandated to diversionary programs. 

"We believe that reforms like those being proposed are critical to fuel taxpayers," said Highway Users' President Greg Cohen. 

Although the House and Senate bills have funding, term-length and some policy differences, there are many similarities in vision, reform and core priorities.  Cohen expressed optimism on the prospects for final passage of a bill this year.  "The Highway Users is pleased that both bills are moving forward in their respective chambers."

"Once the bills pass the House and Senate this month, it will be important to resolve the differences as quickly as possible, enact a conference report that can pass both chambers and be signed into law by President Obama.  It is way past time to get America's people and economy moving again."

The American Highway Users Alliance represents motorists, RV enthusiasts, truckers, bus companies, motorcyclists, and a broad cross-section of businesses that depend on safe and efficient highways to transport their families, customers, employees, and products. Highway Users members pay the taxes that finance the federal highway program and advocate public policies that dedicate those taxes to improved highway safety and mobility.

SOURCE American Highway Users Alliance