David Thomas: “I will not take long. I know there is lots for us to do, but I wanted to come over to the floor and express my support…”

“I will not take long. I know there is lots for us to do, but I wanted to come over to the floor and express my support for the movement and the passage of the highway bill. I, first of all, wish to thank the chairman and the ranking member for the work they have done. Having been on that committee in years past, I know how difficult a task it is and what a great job they have done. We have been now some 5 or 6 years waiting to do what we really need to do, clearly need to do. All of us have highway problems. All of us have need for an infrastructure. It is certainly one of the things that creates more jobs than almost anything we could possibly have. And the transportation system is something we clearly need for the future. So I guess I am a little disappointed that it has taken as long as it has for us to move forward. But now we do have an opportunity to do that, and certainly it is the time to do it. This bill has been reviewed by almost everybody in the place. We don't need to spend a lot more time talking about it. Certainly, there will be some amendments. However, the House has passed a similar bill. I think we should stick to the highway funding as it was set up in the budget, frankly, but that is an issue that will be resolved in time. So I just hope we can pass it here. I think these decisions as to how the money is used should be made in the States, and we do not want a bunch of decisions made here as to the details of transportation.…”