Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Thursday, April 29, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Tonight, U.S. Senator Kit Bond issued the following statement on the Highway Bill extension:

"Every single day I get asked 'when are we going to pass a highway bill.' It is time to tell everyone who, not what, is the real roadblock. I will no longer stand idly by while others claim they want to pass a highway bill, but inside the beltway actually block the next step in the process.

"Tonight we finally got that progress I have been fighting for. Senate Majority Leader Frist and Minority Whip Reid agreed publicly to hold a vote next week on moving the bill forward. In response, I have allowed the new short-term extension to pass.

"I am extremely pleased at the outcome of our efforts. Next week we will have a vote to bring everyone out of hiding. Missouri and our nation need a new highway and mass transit bill. But the Congress must work before the American people can do their work – and now the voters will know who wants that work to continue and who doesn't."

Bond served twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate.