Washington congressman back 3-month extension on transportation funding

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), a senior member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voted Thursday on a measure to enable transportation projects across the U.S. to continue receiving financing for the summer season.

Larsen voted for a measure, HR 3236, that would offer a three-month extension of the Highway Trust Fund. The House approved the bill, which moves to the Senate for consideration.

“The Highway Trust Fund extension I voted for today will keep workers on the job making critical repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, highways and transit systems all over the country,” Larsen said. “In Northwest Washington, projects will continue to update the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal and to improve roads around the Arlington airport that are key routes for moving goods to market.”

“Now our economy depends on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moving forward with a long-term transportation bill, like the GROW AMERICA Act that I helped introduce,” Larsen said. “As the Senate finalizes its transportation bill, the two chambers can work out differences and produce a real, sustainable solution to invest in our country’s roads, bridges, highways and transit systems.”

Larsen also said he is frustrated that Congress has failed to follow through on reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. 

“The Bank supports thousands of jobs at companies of all sizes by helping these businesses get their goods into the hands of consumers worldwide,” Larsen said. “Each day that our businesses of all sizes are without the export financing is a day they have less opportunity to create jobs and grow our economy.”