Published November 4, 2015
Reps. Ryan Costello (R-PA), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Mimi Walters (R-CA), and John Katko (R-NY) after passage of the STRR Act through the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Today, Main Street is helping the House pass the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform (STRR) Act. H.R. 3763 is a multiyear bill that funds Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs. Main Street is still actively searching for a funding solution for the long-term highway bill.
Several Main Streeters were key in getting the STRR Act through the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) said after H.R. 3763 passed the committee, “This is a positive step toward passing a long-term highway bill. Let’s get this approved so our states and local communities can undertake long-term planning projects to repair our roads, bridges and highways and put our neighbors to work rebuilding America.”
Similarly, Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) said after the passage of the STRR Act through the committee, “We have a responsibility to the American people to fix our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and this bill is the first step in this process. I am proud of the work completed by this committee…but it is clear that if we are to capitalize on the policy improvements made by this bill, we will need to come together to find innovative funding sources to support a 21st Century transportation system.”
Rep. John Katko (R-IL) said “I’ve consistently advocated for a long-term highway bill to fully provide for the pressing infrastructure needs of Central New York. This bill will break the cycle of short-term extensions that make planning and investment nearly impossible for our state and local governments.”
Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) said “Getting this long-awaited, much-needed legislation ready for passage has been a primary focus of mine as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I am pleased that my colleagues could come together in a bipartisan fashion to reach a consensus on a bill.”
Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) had the following to say when H.R. 3763 passed committee: the STRR Act “will extend the authorization for federal highway and transit programs through November 20, as well as extending the deadline for Positive Train Control (PTC) technology for three years.”
Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) said the “bill will provide much needed stability in terms of building and maintaining our roads, bridges, and transit systems. Further, it spurs private sector investment in our transportation system and makes real strides toward public safety.”
Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) said the bill “improves our nation’s infrastructure system by prioritizing funding and providing more flexibility to states. This legislation embodies the essence of bipartisanship and I’m proud to serve on a committee that’s dedicated to the regular order process and giving every member a voice.”
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) said “Right now, much of our infrastructure on Long Island is in need of additional support. One of my top priorities in Congress is strengthening New York’s transportation and infrastructure, which is why I am proud to lead this effort in the House and will continue to push for passage of this legislation.”
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