Pelosi Statement on GOP Highway Bill

Contact: Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after Speaker John Boehner unveiled the Republican proposal for a long-term surface transportation bill:

“The American people’s top priority remains job creation, and Democrats are committed to putting people to work rebuilding America. Our record is clear: to strengthen our economy, we must get construction workers back on the job reinforcing and expanding our roads, bridges, rail lines, airports, and waterways. We can meet this critical challenge now by bringing President Obama’s American Jobs Act to a vote, and working in a bipartisan manner to pass long-term transportation and FAA bills; yet Republicans continue to say ‘no.’

“Today, House Republicans came forward with a new surface transportation plan – but with no real details on the level of investment or how they intend to pay for their bill. While we wait to learn more, Republicans must answer: will they change course from their past proposals to slash infrastructure investments and destroy 600,000 jobs, and instead join Democrats to make the decisions necessary to grow our economy?

“Democrats have been focused on job creation from day one, while Republicans have spent more than 315 days in the majority without a clear jobs agenda. The American people can’t wait any longer. We must act now to put people to work and rebuild America.”

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