Senate Committee Delivers Bipartisan Agreement On Behalf Of All Americans

John Robert Smith

On Dec. 15, 2011, John Robert Smith, President and CEO of Reconnecting America, released the following statement regarding on the Senate Commerce Committee Transportation Reauthorization:

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee marked up the Surface Transportation and Freight Policy Act of 2011. In the process of reviewing this legislation, which reauthorizes elements of our federal transportation program, they adopted an amendment with bipartisan support to ensure that all streets provide safe travel for not only motorists, but also bikers and walkers. This amendment provides all of our citizens, including those who cannot drive such as the elderly, the young and the disabled, quality access to our transportation network. The intent of the amendment is for any new federally funded road projects to be designed to accommodate and take into account the safety of all users.

I applaud Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) for sponsoring this amendment. Senator Begich and I both served as Mayors of our hometowns. We understand the varied transportation needs at the local level and that for many in a community driving is not an option. Senator John Thune (R-SD) also spoke about the importance of moving this amendment forward. Senator Thune and I have visited and discussed how small towns and rural areas have specific transportation needs, and alternatives to driving must be available.

This bipartisan agreement on behalf of all Americans, young, old, disabled, urban, rural and small town, should be applauded. Building a modern transportation system that provides choices and options is something all Americans can support.