Washington, D.C. -- Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today sent a letter to Congressman Dave Camp, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and Congressman Sander Levin, Ranking Member, about funding options for the Highway Trust Fund that she has provided to Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin. Senator Boxer is committed to finding a long-term funding solution for the Highway Trust Fund this year.


The full text of the letter to Congressman Camp is below:


October 9, 2014


The Honorable Dave Camp
Chairman
Committee on Ways and Means
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515


Dear Chairman Camp:


Last month, I had hand-delivered to your office a series of options that I developed to address the shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund, but I have not yet received any feedback from you.


Although Congress passed a short-term Highway Trust Fund patch and an extension of our surface transportation programs in MAP-21 through May 31, 2015, the longer we wait to find a long-term funding solution for our critical infrastructure the worse it will be. The devastating economic impacts of failing to ensure the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund can be avoided. I strongly supported a shorter extension to keep the pressure on Congress to work on a long-term funding solution, which would provide the certainty that our states and businesses need.


Our economy depends on safe and efficient transportation systems, and yet our roads and bridges are falling apart. Our states, our cities, our drivers, our workers -- everyone is counting on us to maintain and improve our highways, bridges and transit systems over the long haul. The Highway Trust Fund is a problem that can be solved, and this Congress must uphold its responsibility to come up with a sustainable funding solution. We cannot afford to wait for action until the deadline which falls at the beginning of the critical summer construction season, or to kick the can down the road any longer.


There are many reasonable ways to continue a self-funded transportation program, and I will not stop working until we in Congress have the courage to do what is right for jobs and business and our nation. I look forward to working with you to find a long-term, bipartisan solution for the Highway Trust Fund this year.


Sincerely,


Barbara Boxer
Chairman

CC: Ranking Member Sander Levin

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