James M. Jeffords

I would like to continue my discussion about key provisions of S. 1072. In particular, I would like to discuss some of the bicycle and pedestrian provisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,600…

I have just never worked with someone who has been more cooperative--and our staffs--to bring about a consensus in a very difficult bill. A little change here and a little change there will change millions of dollars and who it goes to and…

The only change we made was to increase the return to donor States while ensuring growth to each and every State. The EPW Committee wanted to put forth a bill that achieved fair balance and growth in every State. As in all of our national…

Do we not have other problems, in the sense of trying to move freight across the country and making the highways safe? We took the intermodal transportation systems we had, and a lot of that takes funds we would normally use, is that not…

I also go back to some of Senator Moynihan's concerns years ago. Now looking at what is going on in China and other places, with the development of intermodal systems or the ability to travel at much faster rates of speed, to move--in…

I also add to the accolades to my good friend from Mississippi for putting in perspective where we are and what we must do to make this a reality. This Nation cannot wait much longer to have the funds that will be available under this bill…

Also, isn't this a job creation bill and is this not a time when this Nation is in dire need of improving the employment of people who desire to have work?

Mr. President, S. 1072 will send billions of dollars to the States. It provides the resources to maintain the transportation infrastructure that we use and enjoy every day. Literally hundreds of thousands of jobs are at stake. It is…

I would like to take you back to when the highway program was started by President Eisenhower. As I remember, one of the big concerns at that time was the inability of this Nation to defend itself, some real problems that were created for…

I thank my chairman. I understand his dedication to doing so much more as we go forward. We are accomplishing a lot today, and yet we still have to sit down and look to the future as soon as we are done with the present.

I am proud to be a leader in that effort this year. Through the bill before us today, we will improve the condition and the performance of our roads and bridges, thousands and millions of them. That means both safer travel today and lower…

I am most pleased to assist in this regard. The environmental provisions contained in this bill reflect a bipartisan compromise reached among the members of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Although there are a number of…