Congressman Schock On MSNBC's Morning Joe Discussing Letter to President Obama
“The American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives our transportation infrastructure a grade of “D,” said Rep. Schock. “While other sectors of the economy grew during the month of November, the construction industry lost 12,000 jobs. These are the reasons why I have been so vocal for the passage of a long-term highway bill and why we are asking the president to join us and support our efforts. A long-term highway bill is as much about putting people back to work now as it is about investing in our country’s infrastructure to entice businesses to expand their operations in the U.S. and sell their products around the world more efficiently.”
In the letter, the
111 Members of Congress jointly state that “a modern, safe and efficient transportation authorization will not only create jobs now for the construction industry – facing a 13.3 percent unemployment rate – but it will also set the table for long-term job creation and economic growth…A long-term transportation authorization will help make America more competitive in the global marketplace and create jobs in all sectors of our economy.”
Last month, Schock held a press conference at the state capitol in Springfield - with business and labor leaders from Illinois - praising the recent announcement that legislation will soon be introduced in the House of Representatives that will link domestic energy production with the funding for transportation related programs. For the past several months, Schock has been calling for a robust highway bill that is linked to increased domestic energy production to pay for the cost of a long-term transportation infrastructure bill. Schock’s proposal would both encourage the increased production of American energy and help fund a new highway bill, both of which would boost job creation.
The bipartisan group concluded their letter by writing, “Given our fiscal challenges, we recognize that a long-term transportation authorization will need to be paid-for. We stand willing to work with your Administration on a variety of funding options.”
Attached:
Bipartisan letter to President Obama
Background Materials
YouTube Video -
American Needs a Six Year Highway Bill
Press Release -
Schock Praises Announcement to Link Domestic Energy Production with Transportation Funding
Press Release -
America Needs a Six Year Highway Bill
Press Release -
Schock to Visit Successful North Dakota Energy Field
Audio Files from Springfield Transportation Infrastructure Press Conference (11.10.2011)
Springfield Transportation Infrastructure Press Conference-File #1
Springfield Transportation Infrastructure Press Conference-File #2
Springfield Transportation Infrastructure Press Conference-File #3
