Mike Levin: “I am voting in favor of this bill today because not doing so would cause irreparable harm to the States. The current…”

“I am voting in favor of this bill today because not doing so would cause irreparable harm to the States. The current highway funding bill expires 6 days from today, and unless we pass this extension, highway and transit programs will effectively be shut down. Passage of the measure before the House will extend the highway program for 5 months, until February 29, 2004. The reason we are in the unenviable position of passing a short-term extension is due to the intransigence of some in the White House and in the Congress, who refuse to provide the funds necessary for an adequate reauthorization bill that fairly addresses the inequities of the current mechanisms by which the Federal government funds roads and transit in this country. My home State of Michigan is a donor State, which means it sends more in gas tax revenue to Washington than it receives back in highway funding. For the past 5 years, Michigan has received on average 88 cents back for every dollar sent to Washington. At the same time, 25 States and the District of Columbia receive more than a dollar back for every dollar sent to Washington. The bill we are voting on continues this inequitable formula for another 5 months. It is to do more to level the playing field. I have joined 141 of my colleagues in the House in cosponsoring legislation requiring a minimum return of 95 percent for all States. We can bring this policy change about in a number of ways, but the status quo is simply not acceptable.”