Ellen Tauscher: “here we go again. For the seventh time since the expiration of TEA 21 in September 2003, the House will adopt a…”

“here we go again. For the seventh time since the expiration of TEA 21 in September 2003, the House will adopt a temporary extension of highway, transit and highway safety programs. Why can't we get this bill done? The House adopted the legislation on a 417-9 vote. The Senate adopted the legislation on an 89-11 vote. And yet, the President has threatened to veto the legislation. Mr. Speaker, Americans are spending more time in traffic today than they ever have before. They're commuting hours to work, missing their children's soccer games, and losing their precious free time to traffic. Commuters in my district in San Francisco's Bay Area are suffering in the second worst city in America for gridlock. They're losing a total of over $2 million in wasted fuel and several hours each week, away from their offices and their families. At the same time, our infrastructure is in need of repair. Our roads and highways are crumbling and we have limited funds to invest in new transit systems. Mr. Speaker, the American people get it. They know that we need an infusion of federal funds to begin addressing our critical transportation infrastructure needs. They're tired of paying gas taxes at the pump and receiving nothing in return. It's time to get this bill done. It's time for the President to put his veto stamp away and listen to the American people.”