Significant Public Transportation Funds Added to Stimulus Plan before Floor Vote
House Responds to Widespread Call for Increased Investment
The transportation portion
of the American Recovery and Reinvestment bill, as passed today in the House,
includes $12 billion in much-needed funding to modernize and expand
public transportation networks across the country. The package was
significantly strengthened by a floor amendment offered by Reps. Jerrold Nadler
(D-NY), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Michael Mahon (D-NY), and
Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) that added an additional $3 billion in capital funds for
transit projects in communities across the country both large and small. The
added investment will create or preserve an additional 133,000 jobs. The
total transit and rail package will put thousands to work while reducing our
nation’s dependence on oil, traffic congestion, and global warming pollution.
This investment is an important first step, and it sends a
strong message that this Congress supports moving toward a modernized, 21st
century transportation system.
In strengthening the bill, House Leadership, including
Appropriations Committee Chairman, David Obey, who spoke in favor of the amendment
on the House floor, and the vast majority of House members answered a growing
demand for more transportation options and the immediate expansion of our
national public transit system.
“We applaud and thank Congressman Obey for his support of
this amendment,” said Bruce Speight, WISPIRG Advocate.
The Senate now must build upon the important democratic steps
made by the House and ensure that transportation investments address long-term
needs while creating new jobs and preventing further layoffs. Changes in this bill should also send a strong
message to state and local officials that the old ways of doing the nation’s
transportation business are ending, and the path ahead will require smarter
decisions and greater public accountability.
