Political Quotes

“today the Senate has overwhelmingly approved the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005, SAFETEA, H.R. 3. I supported this important legislation, as I did last year when the Senate passed a similar measure, S. 1072. I believe it is a critical step toward funding our Nation's transportation infrastructure and creating much needed jobs. Now the real work begins. The Senate funding level is $295 billion. The House has passed its version, TEA-LU, at $284 billion over 6 years. And the President unfortunately supports the lower House number. In fact, he has threatened to veto any transportation bill that exceeds the $284 billion funding level. I was proud to join 83 of my Senate colleagues in standing firm on the Senate level of $295 billion. The White House should take note that at least 84 Senators--a supermajority--support a higher number. Reauthorization of TEA-21 is one of the most important job and economic stimuli that the 109th Congress can pass. We must work quickly to deliver the best conference report at the highest possible funding level. We should not let further delay stand in the way of real transportation infrastructure improvement, economic development, and job creation. I would like to take this opportunity to discuss the benefits of this legislation for my home State of Illinois. H.R.…”