Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, July 26, 2004

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced the Senate last week passed an extension on current transportation spending while Senate-House negotiators continue their efforts to pass a six-year funding bill.

"It is still too early to predict the fate of the transportation bill, but negotiations are continuing," said Bond. "We are taking it one step at a time. I will continue to fight for a bill that gives Missouri the money it needs to make our roads and highways safer and creates jobs."

Late Thursday, Congress passed a two-month extension of the surface transportation law. The extension lasts until Sept. 24 for highway programs and until Sept. 30 for transit and safety programs.

Bond said passage of the bill is critical to meeting Missouri's transportation needs and will help strengthen both the local and national economy.

"The Department of Transportation estimates that every $1 billion in new federal investment creates 47,500 plus jobs. Most importantly, our comprehensive six-year bill at $318 billion will sustain over 2 million new jobs.

"These funds will support much-needed job creation and economic stimulus. According to the Associated General Contractors, failure to enact a 6-year bill yields the loss of 90,000 jobs."