Sam Graves: “I want to associate myself with the words of my colleagues, who just spoke obviously on the need to do this and the need…”

“I want to associate myself with the words of my colleagues, who just spoke obviously on the need to do this and the need for a long-term transportation bill. I remember Chairman Oberstar working diligently to try to do that in the six, seven extensions, I think, that we had at this time and never did come up with a transportation bill. That is why we are working so hard to make sure we have a good bipartisan bill. I do rise in support of H.R. 3038. It is going to extend the current transportation law until December 18, 2015, until we can get that long- term bill in place. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I believe it is critical for Congress to come together on this bipartisan, long- term, surface transportation reauthorization bill. In my home State of Missouri, we have nearly 35,000 highway miles and over 10,000 bridges that are begging for our attention. Last month, I had a hearing focusing on the transportation needs of rural America. Our roads and bridges demonstrate why we need a strong Federal highway program. A network of efficient, interconnected roads is critical to moving people and goods and to the overall health of this economy. That is why I am committed to working with Chairman Shuster, Chairman Ryan, and others to get a reauthorization bill done.…”