"Chairman [Barbara] Boxer [D-Calif.] is trying to get a highway bill. We can't get that past Republicans. Talk about jobs creation. For every billion dollars we spend, it creates 50,000 high paying jobs."
FACT: Senator Inhofe and Republicans on the Senate EPW Committee support passing a highway bill as soon as possible. We expect that if asked again, Senator Reid would likely have a different answer. If not, he should be sure to check in with Senator Boxer to see about this so-called Republican opposition.
Further, as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senator Inhofe has been extremely upset with Congressional inaction on highway issues. For months, Senator Inhofe has been working to ensure States get the necessary money to proceed with highway projects while Congress gets to work on a long term reauthorization of the highway bill.
See:
Lost Highway Funds Result of Washington Inaction
Inhofe Outraged Congress Fails to Act To Protect 17,000 American Jobs
Inhofe Warns Thousands of Oklahoma Jobs at Stake
Tulsa World Editorial: What the ...?: Congress scuttles road funding
Senator Reid should also be reminded of the bi-partisan
Letter sent by
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), Senator Chris J. Dodd (D-CT), Senator Richard C. Shelby (R-AL), Senator John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) asking Reid to file cloture on 6-month extension back in November, stating,
"On a bipartisan basis, we have decided to move forward with a 6-month extension. Unfortunately, a small number of Senators continue to object and will not allow an extension to be considered by the Senate without a cloture vote. We urge you to file cloture on the motion to proceed on the 6-month extension and dedicate the time necessary to complete this important legislation, so we can put Americans back to work and keep our economy moving."
Unfortunately, the Majority leader decided against calling up the bill, and therefore state highway projects continue to suffer. While blaming Republicans has become a bit of a habit for the Majority Leader, we suggest next time he take a look at the facts.
