Political Quotes

“My amendment gets our priorities right in our highway funding by prohibiting Federal funds from being used for landscaping and scenic beautification on highway projects. {time} 1930 We should spend our Federal highway dollars to improve our roads and bridges, not plant flowers. From 1992 to 2013, over $1.3 billion was spent on landscaping and scenic beautification. With data showing over 61,000 bridges classified as structurally deficient and 65 percent of the roads in the United States in less-than-good condition, this is outrageous. I appreciate roadside landscaping, but given today's limited highway dollars, these initiatives are best left to volunteer organizations such as the popular Adopt-a-Highway program. We must ensure that Federal funds are applied where they are needed most, and that is upgrading and improving our National infrastructure. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Oregon is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's concern about the condition of our bridges, and I have spent, as I spoke earlier tonight, a lot of time on that issue and, in fact, opposed the so- called stimulus bill because of the lack of investment in infrastructure, particularly bridges.…”