Washington, D.C. — Carmel Martin, Executive Vice President for Policy at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement today on the highway bill proposal before the U.S. Senate:
The transportation bill before the Senate is unacceptable. Investing in critical infrastructure such as highways, bridges, and public transportation systems should not come at the expense of Social Security benefits, which are a lifeline to seniors and people with disabilities who are living on fixed incomes. Nor should these investments come by eliminating programs intended to help families who are at risk of losing their homes. Instead, the Senate should pass the House trust fund extension and use the next five months to craft a long-term bill that does not rob Peter to pay Paul. For decades, we have asked the drivers and freight companies that benefit from our highways to pay their fair share. This bill breaks with that successful approach and sets a bad precedent.
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Allison Preiss at [email protected] or 202.478.6331.
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