U.S. Chamber Applauds Surface Transportation and Aviation Programs Extension

‘Extension Will Keep People Working,’ Kavinoky Says

WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director of Transportation and Infrastructure, Janet Kavinoky, issued the following statement today regarding the House Transportation and Infrastructure transportation reauthorization proposal:

“The Chamber applauds the House and Senate leadership for recognizing the importance of extending surface transportation and aviation programs at current funding levels in order to sustain jobs. By putting forth clean extensions that continue obligations at FY2011 levels, states and other project sponsors can move forward on projects and keep people working. Once Congress passes these extensions, they can move toward the job-creating investments in our transportation infrastructure.

“The six-month timeframe for highway and transit reauthorization should be enough time to finish both bills provided that the committees and leadership are able to focus on those tasks given the other items on the legislative agenda this fall. A multi-year highway and transit reauthorization that reforms highway and transit policy and programs and provides the necessary resources to maintain investment in highways, public transportation, and safety will give states the long term funding certainty to sustain hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs in the short term. With the proper reforms it will also be be a catalyst to seeding private investment in our infrastructure which will lead to the creation of thousands of additional jobs in the long term.

“Four years overdue, the lack of a long-term FAA reauthorization is hampering airport construction and progress on Next Generation Air Traffic Control investments. We encourage the Senate and House to resolve quickly the remaining issues between the different versions and pass a multi-year aviation authorization so that these critical investments can proceed.’

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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