Rep. Ron Kind: Cancel August Recess to Work on Long-Term Plan for Infrastructure Investment

Background:
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. roads an overall grade of “D” on its 2013 report card. Unless Congress acts by the end of the month, the Highway Trust Fund will be depleted, resulting in the delay of more than 100,000 transportation projects and risking up to 700,000 construction jobs.

Washington, DC – During a Ways and Means Committee markup today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) called on House Republican leadership to cancel August recess in order to work on a long-term plan for financing the Highway Trust Fund that would shore up our nation’s infrastructure and create hundreds of thousands of construction jobs. Rep. Kind went on to state:

“Building a stronger infrastructure and creating good jobs requires a long-term plan. I’m calling for a comprehensive, six-year transportation bill because right now across America we have a workforce ready to step in to rebuild our infrastructure and bolster local economies.

“Kicking the can down the road with a ten-month, $10 billion patch would result in uncertainty and unpredictability at the state and local level, and hinder important transportation investments. Our crumbling roads and bridges need rebuilding now, and our economy needs the shot in the arm that these projects would provide with job creation.

“If we can’t reach a consensus on a responsible, long-term plan by the end of the month, we should cancel the August recess and stay here until we produce a deal that will rebuild our roads and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in construction over the long term.

“Congress has extended this funding 21 times in the last 11 years. Enough is enough: we need a long-term funding solution.”