Chamber president seeks long-term highway trust fund solution

In response to the U.S. Senate passing H.R. 2353, also known as the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, on Saturday, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Donohue released a formal statement characterizing the resolution as essential but inadequate.

"While we recognize that passing a short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund through July was a necessary action, it was not a sufficient one," Donohue said. "Continuing to kick the can down the road when it comes to funding our nation's transportation infrastructure threatens the continuity necessary for economic development, international trade, and job creation."

Donohue maintained that a permanent solution is necessary.

"We need Congress to get its head out of a pothole and immediately turn to identifying and advancing a bipartisan, sustainable and long-term solution to the Highway Trust Fund," he said. "By the end of July, Congress must send to the president a measure that generates the cash flows necessary to supporting continued outlays from the Highway Trust Fund, giving businesses the certainty they need to plan for the future."

The key to progress on the highway issue is political party collaboration, Donohue said.

"The Chamber is urging leaders of both parties to come together and find a shared solution that allows us to work on finding ways to grow investment in transit, roads, and bridges, and enable economic growth and expansion," he said.

The interests of more than 3 million businesses of varying sizes are represented by the U.S. Chamber, which is the largest business federation in the world. The U.S. Chamber also represents state and local chambers of commerce, as well as business organizations and associations.