Steve Cohen: “I want to thank Mr. Maloney for his work and Mr. Shuster for his work. We ``dam'' well better get prepared to increase…”

“I want to thank Mr. Maloney for his work and Mr. Shuster for his work. We ``dam'' well better get prepared to increase our infrastructure spending, or we will have more problems in this country. The motion to instruct conferees is well-taken and well-drafted. Our roads, rivers, railways, and runways got a D-plus on the American Society of Engineers' 2013 report card for America's infrastructure. That is inexcusable, a D-plus on our infrastructure. It used to be the pride of our country and one of the ways that we produced jobs and took goods to market. The fact that this score was awarded to a world superpower and a leader in technological innovation is completely unacceptable. Passing WRRDA is an important step towards turning around our Nation's infrastructure investment program. I was proud to work with and support our outstanding chairman, Chairman Shuster, and Ranking Member Rahall when we passed the bill in both the Transportation Committee and on the House floor. Our committee understands--I think not totally, I can't speak for the whole committee, but in general--that earmarks aren't a bad thing and earmarks are something that greases the wheels that make the engine of government run and work effectively and bipartisanly. We need to bring those back to make this House work together, Democrats and Republicans, so we all have something invested for our districts. That is important. People ask about dysfunction here and people not working together.…”