Developing Our Transportation Infrastructure In A Changing World
September 15, 2003
Since September 11th, I have redoubled my efforts to develop our nation's transportation infrastructure. I wrote President Bush asking him to invest $50 billion in high speed rail over the next decade so that we do not have to keep "propping up" the airline industry.High-speed rail is important to the economic growth of our cities and I am very encouraged with the new discussions underway between officials in Georgia and Tennessee about a high-speed corridor between Macon and Nashville.We need this type of "inter-modal" transportation system that makes us less vulnerable to further terrorism.
Improving our transportation system also means minimizing our dependence on foreign suppliers for critical goods.'Buy American' provisions require the federal government and its contractors to purchase American-made supplies, except when those materials are available only from foreign sources.I joined Rep. Robin Hayes in co-authoring an amendment to the 2004 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act which reinforces the Buy American Act for defense contractors that produce military equipment.It just makes senses for us to choose domestic businesses over their foreign competitors whenever possible.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which has discretionary powers on transportation spending, I will continue to work to increase these funds to help meet Tennessee?s transportation needs while being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.
