Coble urges passage of Highway and Transit Bill

A senior member of the House transportation panel from North Carolina, U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC), today urged his colleagues to adopt a new, multi-year highway and transit funding bill. Congressman Coble, speaking on the House floor, said the House should approve the long-delayed Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (H.R. 3). The House is expected to vote on final passage of the bill on Thursday.

“As both a member of the prior conference committee and as a cosponsor of both House reauthorization bills during the 108th Congress,” Rep. Coble remarked on the House floor, “I realize that members and staff, Democrats and Republicans alike, have worked tirelessly and relentlessly to produce today the best product possible for floor consideration and deliberation. At a time when we have much work to do to address our nation’s critical infrastructure, which is currently in dire need of upgrade and repair, this legislation is also a jobs bill, and will offer new opportunities to many of our nation’s unemployed workers.

“I would like to thank Chairman Young, Subcommittee Chairman Petri and the Majority Leader for their openness and demonstrated leadership regarding measurable progress on the donor state funding issue. As a longtime supporter of the SHARE coalition, I fully realize that this remains a sensitive issue that has historically yielded divisiveness, but I am confident that this issue can be resolved appropriately.

“Indeed, Mr. Speaker, this highway and transit reauthorization bill is long overdue, and we must not lose sight of the big picture regarding the critical importance that this legislation offers. As my constituents in North Carolina and as well as state infrastructure planners from around the country remind me on a regular basis, we must get a suitable transportation bill passed by both bodies expeditiously, and I look forward to remaining actively involved in the legislative process to ensure that all states receive the necessary funding and important policy initiatives HR. 3 authorizes.”

The House today is taking up a series of amendments to the legislation and a final vote is scheduled for tomorrow. Congressman Coble has worked to include a number of 6th District and North Carolina projects in the reauthorization bill which will be detailed following final passage in the House on Thursday.