John W. Olver: “I want to point out and remind Members that this amendment has been cosponsored by a bipartisan group from both sides of…”

“I want to point out and remind Members that this amendment has been cosponsored by a bipartisan group from both sides of the aisle, including myself on the Committee on Appropriations, several members from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and several Members who have no connection with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure or the Committee on Appropriations. This is truly a bipartisan amendment. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to strike section 114 to preserve the enhancement program as it has been authorized and in law for the last 12 years. Make no mistake, a vote against this amendment would cripple the extremely popular enhancement program. The transportation enhancement program created in 1991 in the ISTEA bill was designed to help communities expand transportation choices. Enhancement funds are used to create alternative means of transportation such as bicycle trails and pedestrian walkways which are directly associated with roadways. Enhancements also include the renovation of streetscapes, scenic roads, beautifications, and preservation and investment in the reuse of historic transportation infrastructure that creates both jobs and community amenities.”