With only 80 days remaining until the expiration of the latest highway and transit authorization extension, AGC is kicking-off a comprehensive grassroots and communications campaign asking Congress to take action on a reauthorization bill before March 31, 2012.
The campaign, called Make Transportation JOB #1, will continue to build momentum for passage of a reauthorization bill. The time to engage your member of Congress is now. Both the House and Senate are in positions to move their respective bills but they need to be encouraged to ACT NOW.
The Senate Environment and Public Works and Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees have passed their portions of the Senate reauthorization bill, while the Banking and Finance Committees have yet to take action. Senate Majority Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has indicated that passing a reauthorization bill will be a top priority for the Senate when they return from their winter break. The same can be said in the House where Speaker John Boehner, has pledged to take action the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that will link transportation authorization with expanded energy production. The Speaker’s commitment coupled with a positive status update provided to AGC Highway Chapters this week by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee staff are encouraging signs that a bill could be voted on in the House of Representatives prior to March 31, 2012.
AGC and our members have worked hard to get the reauthorization bill to this point and we need one final push to ensure members of Congress hear from their constituents of the need to Make Transportation JOB #1 and pass a highway and transit reauthorization bill. Over the next several weeks AGC Chapters, members and business colleagues will be asked to:
- Send letters to your Representatives and Senators;
- Sign a petition expressing your support for passing a highway and transit bill;
- Use a complete grassroots toolkit – available on the AGC website – with sample letters to the editor and guidance about arranging effective meetings with your Representatives and Senators.