James Oberstar: “Mr. Chairman, let me rise to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership and also the subcommittee…”

“Mr. Chairman, let me rise to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership and also the subcommittee chair and ranking member. I am talking about the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski). These are the leaders that put this bill on the floor today. They are the ones who have heard from the mayors and the county supervisors about the congestion that is on our roads. They are the ones who have brought forth this very principled and balanced bill. This bill speaks to, and the initial bill that we had for $375 billion, Mr. Chairman, did speak to recommendations and needs, assessments, provided by the Department of Transportation. That first bill was based on the administration's own numbers. But this bill speaks to the traffic congestion that costs American motorists some $67.5 billion a year in wasted time and fuel cost. Americans spend an additional 4.5 billion hours a year stuck in traffic. This bill addresses the immediate needs of our communities. Our communities have spoken loud and clear: They want congestion relief. This bill also speaks to projects of national and regional significance.”