Eleanor Holmes Norton: “I thank my good friend for yielding. The States have done spade work, however, Oregon, Washington, California. So there…”

“I thank my good friend for yielding. The States have done spade work, however, Oregon, Washington, California. So there is $20 million to encourage them to do more. We know what some of these experiments are, vehicle miles, et cetera. Think of new ways. We need to encourage this experiment if we are to fund the trust fund in the future. Another one of my priorities which is relevant to every State is in this bill, and that is the takeover of the DC-MD-VA Metrorail by the Department of Transportation. That was envisioned in MAP-21. It is not very unusual. In addition, this bill authorizes the so-called minority business contract DBE Program, which is available to racial and ethnic minorities, women and service-disabled veterans. They are the only groups which under the Constitution may obtain this special recognition. The bill enhances Buy America. It has workforce development. It enhances the safety of bus riders and of bus drivers. There is $40 million here to encourage State-based efforts to combat racial profiling and we have seen people in the streets for that one. I am so pleased that there was bipartisan support for that and other provisions. I look forward to the continuation of the bipartisan partnership we have had as we go forward to the Senate to produce a comprehensive bipartisan, bicameral bill.”