FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Kristina Baum (EPW) – 202.224.6176

Donelle Harder (EPW) – 202.224.4721

Inhofe Praises Senate Vote on the DRIVE Act 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today praised the Senate for voting to proceed to the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act. By a vote of 62 to 36, the Senate will now begin debate and the amendment process of the legislation. 

“I applaud the Senate for voting to take the first step in moving this important piece of legislation forward,” said Inhofe. "Since 2009, Congress has passed 33 short-term patches. As a result, our nation has slowed building projects and stopped modernizing our surface transportation system. Bridges continue to deteriorate; traffic congestion continues to amass; and friction cost on household goods continue to rise. The DRIVE Act provides the long-term funding certainty and investments needed to change course and spur on sustainable economic growth. I urge my colleagues to start filing amendments and to join me on the floor for a robust debate about the future of our nation’s surface transportation system.” 

On June 24, the Senate EPW Committee passed the DRIVE Act (S.1647) out of committee unanimously. On July 21, the DRIVE Act that incorporates the four committees of jurisdiction, including EPW, Commerce, Banking, Homeland Security/Government Affairs and Finance, was reported to the Senate floor. Text of the legislation can be found here. 

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