American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act passes Committee
Posted February 8, 2012
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved landmark jobs legislation to reauthorize and reform federal surface transportation programs and rebuild the nation’s roads, bridges, and infrastructure.
On Wednesday, February 1, the Committee began consideration of the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill introduced in the House by Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN). The legislation was approved early Friday, February 3.
The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act authorizes approximately $260 billion over five years to fund federal highway, transit, and safety programs, consistent with current funding levels. This will provide long-term stability for states to undertake major infrastructure projects. The bill also includes provisions to improve programs for freight and passenger rail transportation, and calls for funds collected for maintaining the nation’s harbors to be invested for that purpose — not redirected for other unrelated government expenditures.
In addition, this legislation contains no earmarks. The last surface transportation law approved by Congress in 2005 contained over 6,300 earmarks.
The House is expected to consider H.R. 7 later this month.
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