Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) voted to extend the Surface Transportation Extension Act (STEA) of 2011, which continues federal highway aid, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30th.  The highway bill – the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA_LU) – was originally enacted in August of 2005, and reauthorized in a 2010 extension act through this Friday.

“We need to work together to pass another long-term transportation bill in order to provide more jobs on transportation projects, and to ensure our roads, bridges and tunnels are not falling apart, as we witnessed in Minnesota in 2005.  The Republicans took over the gavel this January after promising the American people a ‘laser-like’ focus on jobs – the top priority stated by millions of Americans this past November.  So far, the laser has yet to fire.  A long-term transportation bill would be a great way to start honoring that promise,” said Rep. Engel.

The STEA of 2011 continues authorization at the same funding levels as fiscal year 2009.  This authorization is necessary to allow funds that have been included in transportation appropriations legislation to flow to states and local transit agencies.  Failure to pass this extension would cause expenditures for these Federal transportation programs to cease, turning off Federal surface transportation funding until legislation is passed.  This reauthorization does not include any earmarks.

“We cannot lose sight on some of the most important things we need to address – fixing our crumbling infrastructure and putting more Americans back to work are two of those top priorities.  I am glad we were able to achieve this short-term goal and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to pass something in the near future which will benefit the American people for many years to come,” said Rep. Engel.

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