Political Quotes

“like a lot of my colleagues today, I would like to thank both the Chairman and our Ranking Member and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the fine work on H.R. 2400. I believe it is good not only for our Nation but also for the State of Texas that I represent and also for the district and the community I represent of Houston. BESTEA is the fairest and best bill for donor States such as Texas because it guarantees that each State receives back at least 95 percent of the amount it pays out in gasoline taxes. Transportation funds are imperative for a State as large as Texas, and we need a transportation funding bill that makes sure we receive adequate funds just to maintain the safety on our roads and highways. As a border State, Texas is impacted by large amounts of traffic resulting from trade with Mexico. This high volume of traffic passes through I-69, which runs through the middle of my district. We must make sure that funds are included for trade corridors such as I-69 because NAFTA has so dramatically increased the traffic through Texas. Also, ISTEA originally was based on intermodal. With the Port of Houston and I-69, it makes that intermodal transportation work. In addition, I support BESTEA because it recognizes the importance of demonstration projects to solve local transportation problems.”