Senator Carper Reacts to Transportation Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON- Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the following statement after the EPW Committee released the text of the new transportation reauthorization bill:

“I thank Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Vitter for leading a thoughtful and bipartisan process to develop this legislation and I am optimistic this bipartisan spirit will continue as we mark this bill up in committee and go to the Senate floor. As I’ve said, the impact of this bill really touches every American from city centers to rural highways.

“I’m particularly proud that we were able to include a formula-based freight program that will provide $2 billion annually for states to improve the flow of freight on key corridors. Creating such a program is one of most effective actions we can take to support economic growth. These high-value projects will be targeted at improving the affordability, reliability, and efficiency of freight movement, reducing costs for businesses to help them to grow and better compete. The program will enable states to develop multi-modal freight investment plans that will ensure each state is investing in projects that support the biggest benefit to commerce and business, and provide taxpayers with a strong return on investment.

“I am also excited about new, dedicated funding for the Projects of National and Regional Significance program, which will help to fund the most critical projects around the country that will offer significant benefits to regions such as the Mid-Atlantic. Lastly, I’m happy to see important provisions in the bill to ensure states are using funds for cleaning up diesel pollution in the most effective and cost-effective way possible.”