Transportation bill gains traction with ‘agreement in principle’

An agreement in principle has been reached on the reauthorization of the transportation bill entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, also known as MAP-21.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Senator David Vitter (R-La.), ranking member of the Committee; Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and Senator John Barrasso (R-Wy.), ranking member of the Subcommittee announced the agreement at a recent press conference.

Boxer said the principles include passing a long-term bill; maintaining the formulas for existing core programs; promoting fiscal responsibility by keeping current levels of funding, plus inflation; focusing on policies that expand opportunities for rural areas; continuing efforts to leverage local resources to accelerate the construction of transportation projects, create jobs, and spur economic growth; and requiring better information-sharing regarding federal grants.

“The reason the four of us are standing here is to send a strong signal to this country that we, as leaders of this Committee, have worked across party lines to act before the Highway Trust Fund cannot pay its bills,” Boxer said at the press conference. “For those of you who follow this issue, you know that the Highway Trust Fund is expected to run out of money later this summer, which would be devastating to thousands of businesses and millions of workers across the country.”