Boehner, GOP rethink $260B authorization bill

Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who felt they did not have a hand in writing the bill, applauded the news and are hopeful to be more involved in the process.

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February 24, 2012

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Speaker of the House John Boehner's (R-Ohio) office said he is considering shortening the length of the proposed five-year highway reauthorization bill and scrapping the proposal to remove transit funding from the highway trust fund, following an inability to garner Republican support, according to The Hill.

Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who felt they did not have a hand in writing the bill, applauded the news and are hopeful to be more involved in the process. For the full story, click here.

Below is a statement issued by American Public Transportation Association President/CEO Michael Melaniphy:

"On behalf of the 1,500 members of the American Public Transportation Association, we are encouraged that it appears that the U.S. House of Representative's leadership has decided to maintain dedicated federal investment for public transportation through the highway trust fund as they work towards finalizing a multi-year transportation bill.

Since 1983, under President Ronald Reagan, fuel tax revenues have been dedicated to public transit through the Mass Transit Account of the surface transportation legislation. We are pleased that the Congress will continue the overwhelming bipartisan support for dedicated federal investment in public transit that has existed for nearly 30 years.

We will continue to monitor the progress and look forward to working with the Congress in developing a well-funded multi-year transportation bill."

Topics:authorization federal funding public transit legislation US House of Representatives T&I Committee Rail Technology Bus

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