Political Quotes

“Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight to express my very, very strong support for the Shuster-Oberstar-Petri-Rahall amendment as a path to ensure that the transportation needs of our Nation are addressed. If we are to compete with the growing economies of the Pacific Rim and Europe, transportation must be America's economic development priority for the 21st century. This budget as it now stands simply does not meet those needs. This agreement falls woefully short of allowing us to merely maintain our aging highway and transit systems, let alone make greatly needed repairs. Transportation funds in this budget are insufficient. Every Governor in this Nation has emphasized that transportation is a priority and that this additional funding is absolutely critical to meeting America's vast infrastructure needs. This amendment is a sensible bipartisan effort to address this shortfall and increase transportation funding to the minimum acceptable level. Mr. Chairman, I am strongly committed to balancing the Federal budget, but let us do it in a way that is honest and honors our commitment to the American people and guarantees a strong economy. I ask my colleagues to be bold, to be daring and to invest in our Nation's economic security and our future.”