Hoeven Statement on the Senate-Passed Extension of the Highway Transportation Bill

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding Congress’s passage of a measure that would extend highway transportation funding:

“Yesterday, the Senate passed a measure that will allow states to continue and complete construction projects already underway. The measure is especially important to North Dakota to keep up with our state’s steady economic and demographic growth.

“While I have been pushing for a long-term highway bill, this extension was necessary because without it state and local governments in North Dakota and across the nation would have had to suspend or abandon highway, bridge and other important transportation infrastructure projects for the rest of the current season. That would in turn have put thousands of construction workers out of a job.

“The Senate offsets the cost of replenishing the Highway Trust Fund and extends the current highway bill until December 19, 2014. Congress needs to work on a long-term highway transportation measure, preferably a six-year, bill that will give states the certainty they need to plan for the future. I am committed to working toward that goal.”

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