WASHINGTON, May 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Today, the Senate followed the House, and approved a
two-month extension of the Highway Trust Fund, yet again choosing
to delay finding a long-term solution on how to fund the repair and
maintenance of our aging infrastructure.
This marks the thirty-third short-term funding measure passed by
Congress in six years and the third in the last year alone.
Since 2008, Congress has transferred nearly $62 billion from the general fund to keep the
Highway Trust Fund afloat and it has been more than a decade since
Congress has passed a highway bill that lasted longer than two
years.
"The condition of our roads and bridges continues to deteriorate
while Congress fails to move forward on investing in our
infrastructure," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "Our highways, airports, railways and
ports must not be allowed to fall further into disrepair."
Across the country, states are delaying major transportation
projects due to the uncertainty surrounding federal funding and
this latest stopgap measure will not change that trend.
"Congress must overcome its endless gridlock and pass a highway
bill that provides long-term funding," Hoffa said. "A long-term
funding solution will generate new infrastructure projects that put
people to work, earning good middle-class wages as they build,
repair and maintain America."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout
the United States, Canada and Puerto
Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us
on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Galen Munroe, (202)
624-6911
gmunroe@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters