Pelosi Statement on Passage of Highway and FAA Extensions, Protecting One Million Jobs

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

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the House passed the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act, authorizing continued funding for highway and transit construction initiatives through March 31, 2012, and for the Federal Aviation Administration through January 31, 2012:

“Democrats have repeatedly called on Republicans to fully and responsibly fund the highway and FAA bills, creating jobs rebuilding America’s roads and airports.

“Today, House Republicans agreed to temporarily fund these critical initiatives, but Americans are demanding more than temporary solutions to our jobs crisis. That’s why we’re calling on Republicans to work with Democrats to approve long-term reauthorizations of both measures. Furthermore, the American Jobs Act offers a clear path forward to help small businesses succeed and hire, provide tax relief for our workers and rebuild America, along with our Make It In America initiative to expand small businesses, reinforce manufacturers, and keep America number one.

“Americans don’t have the luxury of waiting any longer. It’s time to act now to put people back to work.”

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