Nick Rahall: “Mr. Chairman, let us get some facts on the table. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster) has laid out very…”

“Mr. Chairman, let us get some facts on the table. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster) has laid out very well how funds for highways are apportioned under this bill. Eighty-eight percent would be distributed to the States by formula through apportionments, by going to States. Basically, this money goes to governors and State legislators. Seven percent would stay here in Washington for administration of the Federal Highway Administration. Let us get it straight, only 5 percent, the remaining 5 percent of the highway funds in BESTEA, are for these projects that are deemed to be high-priority projects by Members of this body. That is the same as in the current law, ISTEA. The bottom line is that governors and State legislators get to spend 88 percent of the highway dollars, while House Members get to direct only 5 percent. Yet some in the media, and I think perhaps the sponsors of this amendment, ought to look at these facts, instead of paying attention to those in the editorial pages in some of the national newspapers or those in the media who would portray this as pork and something evil. Let us look at the facts. They ignore the fact that 88 percent of these dollars are going directly to the State governors and State legislators for their disbursements. Are these individuals angels? Let us get real. The last time I checked, governors were elected like we are elected, politicians.”