I have to say I have worked with these organizations over the break to talk to them about what will happen if we vote this measure down and we do not continue our funding through the highway trust fund. They are very clear, and I am going to give you the information they told me about job losses that will happen if we do not act today. As I read this list, I hope, Mr. President, you realize these organizations are Republican organizations, Democratic organizations, bipartisan organizations. They have Independents, Republicans, and Democrats. The Chamber of Commerce, we all know they tend to go with the Republican side most of the time. They want a ``yes'' vote. The general contractors, they generally go--generally go--with the Republicans. They want a ``yes'' vote. Then you look at the unions, the workers, they generally go with the Democrats. They want a ``yes'' vote. And why? Because they are fearing if we do not act, we are going to hurt business and we are going to hurt the working people of this country. They say: Passage of [this] legislation . . . will provide much needed certainty and stability within the States, local transportation authorities and transit agencies to make long- term capital commitments and plan for a full season of work. . . . Without an extension that . . . stabilizes the Highway Trust Fund-- Which, by the way, this does-- the transportation construction industry will continue to decline and much needed transportation investments cannot be made.…
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