Sen. Cornyn Backs Legislation To Address Highway Funding Shortfall & Protect Texas Taxpayers

Press Release

Sen. Cornyn Backs Legislation To Address Highway Funding Shortfall & Protect Texas Taxpayers

Announces support for Highway Investment Protection Act to help Texas grow

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today announced his support for the Highway Investment Protection Act of 2009, which would keep vital highway projects alive by redirecting already appropriated federal funds to the Highway Trust Fund. Without these additional funds, the Obama Administration will slow down reimbursement payments to states, and Texans would suffer. Sen. Cornyn believes that the Obama Administration must address the $20 billion highway funding shortfall immediately and this legislation would accomplish that.

"Americans are gravely concerned about the unsustainable level of spending over the past six months. Now the Highway Trust Fund that makes local and state transportation projects possible, including road repair and improvements for public transit, will run out of money in August if no action is taken. Texans already get short-changed when it comes to getting their fair share of transportation dollars from Washington, so the last thing they need is more delays to much needed transportation and highway projects. After all, a vibrant transportation system is essential for our economy to grow and for Texas businesses to create jobs here at home. That is why I'm supporting legislation that would immediately address the highway funding gap by redirecting money that has already been appropriated by Congress through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year. It is critical that we stabilize funding for the nation's highway and transit programs that millions of Texans use every day, and I call upon the Obama Administration to immediately address the highway funding shortfall."

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