Transportation touches every aspect of our modern lives. A low-income worker seeking access to work, a merchant looking to move merchandise, or a parent on the way to a soccer game--all are impacted by the quality of our nation's transportation infrastructure.

The last few decades have seen a significant increase in the demands on our roads and bridges, an increasing need for transportation alternatives and a call for additional funding to achieve these demands. Congress must meet these challenges.

The Environment and Public Works Committee is in charge of the nation's highway spending law, which must include adequate funding for a balanced transportation system, with highways, rail, aviation and bicycle/pedestrian modes well represented.

Often Congress and the Administration attempt to impose one-size-fits-all standards for our nation's transportation projects. That approach is misguided.

The renweal of the nation's transportation laws this Congress will afford a great opportunity to allow for each state's unique character. To be successful, transportation policy must be flexible enough to meet the needs of highways, subways, light rail, roads, and rail.