Vicky Hartzler: “I appreciate the gentleman's concerns. I, too, share his concern. I want to make sure that rest areas are still allowed.…”

“I appreciate the gentleman's concerns. I, too, share his concern. I want to make sure that rest areas are still allowed. In fact, there is another provision in the code that does still allow and permit rest areas, for States to be able to build them. This amendment does not address that section. So there still would be that option. My amendment simply wants to make sure our highway tax dollars go where they are needed. This picture points out where they are needed and that 65 percent of our road system in our country now is in failing or is in bad condition. In fact, there are many, many deaths caused every year due to the crumbling of our highways. We also have 61,000 bridges that are considered structurally deficient. So this makes sure that our dollars that the people spend every time they go fill up their car with gas--that those highway road dollars will go to roads and they are not going to go to highway beautification. I ask for the support of my colleagues. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Unfortunately, the Department of Transportation disagrees.…”