Chuck Fleischmann comments on American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, commented on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act.

“This is a transformative piece of legislation and I am glad to be a part of it. We have listened to the American people and to states and local communities, and have developed a long-term bill that has no earmarks, returns power to local officials and the private sector, creates jobs, and reins in the federal government. It is important that we fix our roads and bridges in this country, and that we do it in a financially responsible way. This legislation does that, and is an excellent blueprint for how legislation should be put together,” Fleischmann said.

Here are some highlights of the bill:

Proposal

• Long-term transportation reauthorization at current funding levels
• Revenues from additional oil and gas production will help fund programs
• Provides at least 5 years of stability for States to undertake major infrastructure projects

Reforming Programs

• Largest transportation reform bill since the 1956 creation of the Interstate Highway System
• Contains no earmarks, compared to the previous law which contained over 6,300 earmarks
• Consolidates or eliminates nearly 70 federal programs
• Eliminates mandates that States spend highway funding on non-highway activities
• Allows States to set their own transportation priorities

Streamlining Project Delivery

• Delegates more project approval authority to States
• Condenses deadlines for Federal agency project approvals
• Accelerates approval process for projects in the existing right-of-way

Leveraging Financial Resources

• Encourages States to partner with the private sector to finance and build projects
• Increases availability of low interest loans for major transportation projects

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