I am pleased to report that we are making progress in doing just that.  As many of you know, in May, President Bush proposed to rescind $93 million dollars in funding for the construction of Interstate 49 between Texarkana and the Louisiana border to pay for his supplemental appropriations request.  Fortunately, through conversations with the White House as well as the efforts of other members of the Arkansas congressional delegation, we were able to get the President to reverse his recommendation and ensure that this vital funding is secure.  In fact, the Arkansas Highway Commission recently finished obligating this money so that it cannot be taken away.

In addition, this week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed this year’s Transportation Appropriations Act, and I am pleased that this bill includes funding for such vital projects to south Arkansas as:  the Great River Bridge over the Mississippi River, which will bring Interstate 69 into Arkansas; the extension of I-530 from Pine Bluff to a point between Warren and Monticello; additional funds for Highway 71 and I-49; and money to ensure continued flight service to the airport in Hot Springs.

While the Transportation Appropriations bill must still pass the Senate and be signed by the President before the funding is guaranteed, I am very optimistic that they will, indeed, approve this measure.  As your Congressman, I will continue to work to ensure that south Arkansas has the resources it needs to complete these important highway projects.