Washington, D.C.   -  In a move to ensure the federal government can continue to fund the nation’s highway infrastructure, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6532, bipartisan legislation to address the looming shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund by transferring $8 billion from the General Fund to the Highway Trust Fund.

Today, U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.), a senior member on the House Ways and Means Committee, voted for the legislation which will prevent the loss of $544 million in fiscal year (FY) 2009 or 34 percent of all federal funding for Pennsylvania highway infrastructure for next fiscal year.

“Without this legislation, critical federal funding for Pennsylvania's highway infrastructure would be placed on the chopping block, leading to the disruption of road projects and further delaying necessary upgrades, maintenance and the expansion of highways across the Commonwealth,” English said.

In February, the Bush Administration forecast that revenues for the Highway Trust Fund  would fall short of meeting commitments made under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, and Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) by $3.3 billion during FY 2009.  Because of the way the Highway Trust Fund pays out, the revenue shortfall could lead to more than a 30 percent reduction in federal highway funds across all states in fiscal year (FY) 2009.  According to the Associated General Contractors, if Congress does not act the funding cut could in the loss of nearly 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania alone.

“At a time when the Pennsylvania state government is experiencing challenges with their budget, it is critical for the federal government to make sure that states, like Pennsylvania, have access to the resources they need to strengthen and repair their roadways,” English said.  “This is a commonsense initiative that will ensure our local highway infrastructure needs are met.”

H.R. 6532 overwhelmingly passed the House floor today by a vote of 387 to 37 and has been sent to the Senate chamber for further review.

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