Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, how does America, the strongest economy in the history of the world, accept a world ranking of 23rd behind Spain and Chile in the quality of our roads and bridges--American infrastructure? Let's look at the facts. In 2005, Congress passed a roads bill that was 35 percent smaller than what was needed just to bring our roads and bridges to a state of good repair. In 2009, Congress passed an economic stimulus bill, directed just 7 percent to our transportation and infrastructure, and, last year, we passed a transportation bill that provided less than half of what was needed to reverse the decline of our roads and bridges. This is not only weak, it is pathetically weak. Standard & Poor's reports that for every $1.3 billion invested in roads and bridges, it creates 29,000 jobs--American jobs--produces $2 billion in economic growth, and reduces the Federal deficit by $200 million. Both Presidential candidates talked about a large investment in American infrastructure, but I am concerned that the President-elect's program may be comprised of tax cuts for already-planned projects. This would be selling the American people and the American economy short. You just spent $105 billion rebuilding the roads and bridges of Afghanistan. You just spent $76 billion rebuilding the roads and bridges of Iraq. It is time the Nation built here at home and in America. ____________________”