On the recordJune 13, 2012
I do not want to infringe on my colleagues. Let me just say this: I am appreciative of the efforts shown by Chairman Mica of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for his role in highlighting the importance of environmental streamlining within the conference committee. I hope the rest of my fellow Senate conferees are carefully reviewing his suggested language. I know all of us want to do all we can to expedite project delivery times while minimizing redundant costs. Chairman Mica is clearly eager to engage on this topic. President Obama has talked in the past about the importance of funding shovel-ready jobs. All we are asking is when there is a shovel- ready job to move forward without undue or unnecessary environmental reviews. I close with an appeal rooted in my role as ranking member of the Finance Committee. The highway trust fund is currently on a path to insolvency, and the Senate bill does not change that. By working with our colleagues in the House we can make sure taxpayer money is not wasted on redundant and unnecessary compliance and regulation. Despite current policy being green in the environmental sense, it does not mean we have to sacrifice being green in a budgetary sense. Mr. President, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coons). The Senator from North Dakota.
