Max Baucus: “Mr. President I introduce a bill to help rural America. Now I am always trying to help Montana, but this bill will help…”

“Mr. President I introduce a bill to help rural America. Now I am always trying to help Montana, but this bill will help every state. Today I introduce the MEGA RED TRANS Act. Maximum Economic Growth for America Through Investment in Rural, Elderly and Disabled Transit. Quite simply, there are transit needs not being met nationwide. This bill addresses those needs. This is the second bill in a series that I am introducing to highlight my proposals on reauthorization of TEA 21--the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Last month I introduced the MEGA TRUST Act--Maximum Growth for America Through the Highway Trust Fund. Today its MEGA RED TRANS. The Maximum Economic Growth for America Through Investment in Rural, Elderly and Disabled Transit Act or MEGA RED TRANS Act would ensure, that as Federal transit programs are reauthorized, increased funding is provided to meet the needs of the elderly and disabled and of rural and small urban areas. There is no question that our nation's large metropolitan areas have substantial transit needs that will receive attention as transit reauthorization legislation is developed. But the transit needs of rural and smaller areas, and of our elderly and disabled citizens, also require additional attention and funding.”