Political Quotes

“I want to join my voice with that of Ranking Member Senator Capito and say I rise in support of the amendment offered by Senator Lummis, Senator Cornyn, Senator Kelly to direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a highway user cost allocation study, that we are going to vote on here in just a minute or two. A cost allocation study helps determine the costs in terms of road use and damage that are attributable to the different types of vehicles that use our roads. This study will evaluate vehicle weights and miles that are traveled in each class to determine the use and damage done to roads, and then compare them to the amount paid in user fees to the Highway Trust Fund. My colleagues know the Highway Trust Fund has been spending more than it collects for nearly two decades, and as we look to equitably address this growing shortfall, this study will help us better understand the extent to which different roadway users benefit from roads and how they should fairly contribute to the upkeep of those roads, highways, and bridges. This cost allocation will help Congress ensure that our vehicles pay their fair share. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this very worthy amendment. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”