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“SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2011” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E418 on March 3, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2011
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speech of
HON. CANDICE S. MILLER
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 662--The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011. This bill provides much needed funding to keep the transportation projects in our nation going and provides assurance to State Departments of Transportation that vital infrastructure projects can continue without delay. Additionally, this bill buys the House time to put together a comprehensive, longer term surface transportation bill that can adequately address the needs and challenges facing this nation.
I look forward to working on a new surface transportation bill with Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Duncan and with Chairman Mica's leadership along with our colleagues on the full Committee.
I am confident that our Committee will put together a bill that will meet the serious challenges we face in maintaining and improving our infrastructure. I am also confident that we will have the appropriate focus on what we must do to help move our economy forward and the elimination of earmarks will allow us to develop strong legislation that focuses more on need instead of narrow interests.
Throughout history economic growth has followed our transportation grid. Whether it was sea routes, canals, wagon trains, rail, roads and airlinks, growth in our economy has always been dependent on our transportation infrastructure.
I believe this will help to ensure that the most needed projects get funding and help to eliminate any unnecessary projects.
Madam Speaker, it is critical that we make sure that spending stays in line with revenues, and one way in which to do this is to prevent the use of ``donor states,'' or states that give more to the Highway Trust Fund than they receive. My home state of Michigan is such a donor state, and we and other donor states have for too long been at the short end of funding for projects.
My state of Michigan has been ground zero for this difficult economy. We have had among the highest unemployment rates for many years and it is simply unacceptable that hard-working Michigan taxpayers are asked to subsidize transportation funding for states that have not been nearly as hard hit.
This extension is our first step in the process and I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation so that we can continue our important work to develop the best transportation network in the world.
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