Hatch says Highway Deal is “Watershed Moment” for Transportation Community

Utah Senator Says, “We’ve heard time and again that a long-term highway bill would only be possible if we included a big tax increase. Yet we’ve been able to defy the odds and provide much-needed funding for America’s bridges, highways, and roads for the next five years.”

WASHINGTON –Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) lauded congressional efforts in producing a final Conference Report for the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, bipartisan legislation to fund America’s highway and transit programs for five full years without raising taxes or adding to the deficit.

“Finally, Congress is making significant headway toward implementing the longest highway reauthorization bill in more than 15 years,” said Hatch in a speech on the Senate floor. “We’ve heard time and again that a long-term highway bill would only be possible if we included a big tax increase. Yet we’ve been able to defy the odds and provide much-needed funding for America’s bridges, highways, and roads for the next five years. This marks a watershed moment for our transportation community, who will now have the security and stability they need to plan, implement, and complete critical infrastructure projects.

“While we’ve crossed a major hurdle today our job is not yet over,” Hatch continued. “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to complete our work and ensure a strong multi-year highway bill is signed into law this year.”

BACKGROUND:
As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Hatch spearheaded efforts in Congress to provide funding for a bipartisan multi-year highway bill. In July, the Senate passed a long-term highway bill to reauthorize the program for six years. The measure, under Hatch’s leadership, funded the programs for a full three years.

Following House action on a separate highway bill this fall, Hatch was appointed to serve on the Highway Conference Committee, to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House bills.

The Conference Report for the FAST Act reauthorizes and fully funds America’s highway programs for five years. Congress is expected to soon vote on the conference report and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

To view a full copy of Hatch’s floor remarks click here.

To view a copy of the bill text click here.

A summary of the Conference Report can be found here.

The Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of the Conference can be found here.

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