Political Quotes

“I rise today to say what the distinguished bill managers have already said, and that is a sincere thank you to the many people who made this bill possible. But I want to say it again. It is appropriate that Chairman Warner and Senator Baucus express their appreciation, but I want to do so as well. Mr. President, highways and ISTEA debates are not an academic debate from Missourians; they are more life and death matters. The State of Missouri has always been a leader in the area of transportation. One example is that the first construction contract awarded under the Interstate Highway System some 40 years ago was for part of I-70 near St. Charles, MO. But the problem is that Missouri has been shortchanged in the past. Missouri has been a donor State putting in more than a dollar for every dollar they get back. This final bill that has been crafted through a great deal of work is 'rough justice' and demonstrates that reasonable people with passionate differences can reach compromise. My State of Missouri stands to gain $1.2 billion--that is not 'million'; that is 'billion' dollars--more over the next 6 years than during the last 6 years to improve highway safety and infrastructure. That amounts to a 50-percent increase to Missouri for Missouri's essential transportation infrastructure.”