Washington, D.C. - Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said: "The fact that the House voted to take a step forward on a surface transportation bill is encouraging - as long as they follow through and immediately appoint conferees so that Congress can complete its work and get a bill to the President's desk.

"I have spoken to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and he has committed to appoint Senate conferees as soon as Senate Rules allow.

"The final bill must be truly bipartisan so it can pass both Houses of Congress. The economic recovery really depends on our bipartisan action, because the transportation and construction sectors have such a huge impact on the nation's economy."

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