James Barcia: “I must express grave concerns about this measure in light of reports in yesterday's press. Assurances were made to our…”

“I must express grave concerns about this measure in light of reports in yesterday's press. Assurances were made to our chairman, Mr. Shuster, and our ranking member, Mr. Oberstar, regarding the passage of this 6-month extension of ISTEA. They worked tirelessly this year to put together a bill which met the Nation's transportation needs. They withdrew it in favor of this temporary alternative with assurances of an opportunity to address the irresponsibly low transportation funding levels in the budget agreement. It would appear that the leadership has already closed that door. I find your statements in yesterday's Congress Daily, Mr. Speaker, to be deeply troubling. You were quite generous, during recent visits to our State of Michigan, in pledging your support for more funding for our deteriorating road system. Since that time, you have personally intervened in stopping a bill which would have delivered a much needed increase to our State, and yesterday, you reneged on your promise to seek more transportation funding for the Nation. Mr. Speaker, the people of Michigan sincerely want to believe your promises, and I can think of one individual in particular who is most interested in whether you will. Monday night our Governor, John Engler, experienced what literally thousands of Michiganites experience every week: his car blew a tire when it hit a pothole on Interstate 96.”