Editor’s note: Stephen Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, issued the following statement in response to the recently-announced deal on a 27-month federal surface transportation bill by the Congressional Conference Committee:
The members of the Conference Committee have demonstrated the kind of tenacity, perseverance and flexibility that is often required to craft significant pieces of legislation like this new highway and transit bill. This measure offers a much-needed lifeline for tens of thousands of construction workers trying to earn a good living and feed their families. As important, the measure provides the kind of serious and substantive reforms needed to make the federal program more cost-efficient and more effective at delivering needed transportation improvements.
We have consistently called on key members of Congress to demonstrate the leadership needed to get a bill done. They clearly heard our calls and answered with an unequivocal yes. And as soon as this measure is enacted, construction workers, employers and commuters across the country will be able to enjoy the benefits of their efforts.
Over the coming hours we will work with members of the House and Senate, as well as the administration, to ensure this vital measure passes and is signed into law. After all, it isn’t every day members of Congress can enact sweeping reforms, fund tens of thousands of vital jobs and give a much-needed boost to our economy with a single vote.
Beyond this immediate measure, we expect, and encourage, members of Congress to work in a similar bipartisan and bicameral manner to address the long-term funding challenges that will continue to threaten highway and transit investments after this new measure expires.
