Rahall Applauds Shuster for Responsible Approach to Addressing Highway Fund

Nov 29, 2012

Boehner Sharply Critical of Rahall for Similar Stance

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today applauded incoming Committee Chairman Bill Shuster for his recent comments that the Committee “look at all the options that are out there” in order to generate sustainable revenue for the Highway Trust Fund. Nearly identical comments from Mr. Rahall on the need to consider all options to bring the Trust Fund into balance drew sharp criticism from Speaker Boehner last year.

“I look forward to working with incoming Chairman Bill Shuster.  Bill and his family and I go way back,” said Rahall.  “I don’t want to give him a black eye with his leadership, but Bill and I see eye to eye on many critical issues and needs with our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.”

“Paramount to that is finding a workable formula to fully fund our transportation needs,” Rahall continued.  “The fact that we both understand the need to keep all funding options on the table is a reasonable and promising beginning to get America up to speed again with a long term transportation authorization bill.  But when I stated that last year, the Speaker issued a press release criticizing me.  Now is the time to govern responsibly.  I hope Chairman Shuster’s and my bipartisan approach will get the leadership support needed to produce results for the country.”

A copy of the press release Speaker Boehner put out criticizing Ranking Member Rahall’s comments that all options should be considered in order to fix the Highway Trust Fund can be found here.

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