Janice Schakowsky: “Today I voted against H.R. 4281, the Surface Transportation Extension Act. I oppose this legislation not because I…”

“Today I voted against H.R. 4281, the Surface Transportation Extension Act. I oppose this legislation not because I oppose transportation funding--on the contrary--but because we can and should pass a better-funded and longer-term bill. The unemployment rate in the construction industry is nearly double the national average. Over the past year, I have met with many of my constituents who work in the construction industry, including construction workers, designers, managers, engineers, contractors, and developers. The one thing they have all shared is that another short- term extension will not bring enough certainty to the industry to encourage the types of project development and job creation that our country needs. I object to H.R. 4281 because there is a better bill we can pass right now. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 14, or MAP 21, which is identical to the bill that passed the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, 74 22. MAP 21 would fund our transportation and infrastructure needs for two years. If the Republican leadership would allow that bill to come to the floor, we could pass it today. Instead, they have elected to play political games and pass a bill that promotes an unpredictable transportation future. I can't support a 90-day extension that will bring another funding battle at the end of June, during the heart of our construction season in Illinois.…”