Political Quotes

“I thank Senators Lautenberg and Lott for their hard work in bringing this important bill to the floor. They have worked on this issue for years and have always done so in a bipartisan manner. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill which helps our Nation in many ways, not the least of which is relieving congestion on our overcrowded transportation system. We are facing a congestion crisis in this country today, and the problem is only getting worse. Congestion causes Americans to travel 4.2 billion hours longer and purchase an extra 2.9 billion gallons of gas each year, for a total congestion cost of $78 billion. This is an increase from 2004 of 220 million hours, 140 million gallons of gas, and $5 billion. The Texas Transportation Institute calculates that the cost to the average traveler is $710 a year. Americans are not just facing congestion on our roads; we're facing it in our skies and at our airports too. Across the country, flights are being delayed longer and longer, while passengers sit in the terminal or are forced to sit on the tarmac. Airlines are overwhelmed trying to balance the increased demand for air travel with the shrinking space in our skies. Amtrak is a big part of the solution to this congestion crisis. Amtrak trains take cars off the roads and offer passengers a faster, more comfortable alternative to air travel for short-distance trips.”