Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly urged House Republicans to scrap their short term transportation bill and pass the bipartisan Senate transportation bill.  House Republicans refuse to take up the Senate passed two year transportation bill.   The Senate bill enjoyed wide bipartisan support, passing by a vote of 74-22 earlier this month.

“This House bill amounts to nothing more than a band-aid, failing to address our critical infrastructure needs,” said Connolly.  “America is facing a transportation crisis, with bridges and roadways crumbling, millions of Americans stuck in gridlock, and transit improvements languishing. We need a real transportation plan.  Thankfully, that plan is the Senate passed bill.”

Since being elected to Congress Connolly has been a leading voice on transportation issues, advocating for the reauthorization of a long term transportation bill to address Northern Virginia’s transportation needs.  In addition to calling for a comprehensive transportation bill, Connolly has been successful in getting federal dollars to complete long awaited projects including the completion of the Fairfax County Parkway, widening of the Prince William County Parkway, and improvements to I-66 and route 29.

“At a time when the Virginia transportation trust fund barely has money to cover maintenance costs the federal government is the only source of revenue for new projects.  This Senate bill will ensure that states and localities don’t have to shutter projects Sunday and most importantly put people back to work.”

The transportation authorization is set to lapse on March 31^st.  In addition to jeopardizing projects in every state, thousands of federal employees who are paid through the gas tax could go without pay.