TAUC Urges Senate to Fund Transportation Bill -- Read the Letter!

July 21 2015

Below is the full text of the letter sent to U.S. Senators and signed by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC), along with more than 60 other organizations.

July 20, 2015

Dear Senator:

The undersigned organizations representing every sector of the U.S. economy urge all members of the Senate to pass a six-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program in 2015 that increases investment in highway and public transportation improvements.

America’s transportation infrastructure network is the foundation on which the nation’s economy functions. American manufacturers, industries and businesses depend on this complex system to move people, products and services every day of the year. It is also a direct contributor to enhanced personal mobility and quality of life for all Americans.

With unanimous approval of S. 1647, “Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act” on June 24, the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee demonstrated a bill with common sense policy reforms and robust investments can achieve broad bipartisan support and enthusiasm. The DRIVE Act should serve as a vehicle to complete a comprehensive reauthorization process this year.

The U.S. economy and all Americans require a surface transportation infrastructure network that can keep pace with growing demands. A six-year federal commitment to prioritize and invest in our aging infrastructure and safety needs is essential to achieve this goal.

Temporary program extensions and eight years of recurring Highway Trust Fund revenue crises do not provide a path to future economic growth, jobs and increased competitiveness. We urge you to end this cycle of uncertainty by advocating and voting for a six-year surface transportation program reauthorization bill during 2015.

Sincerely,

National Association of Manufacturers

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

American Road and Transportation Builders Association

Associated General Contractors of America

U.S. Travel Association

National Retail Federation

American Farm Bureau Federation

American Trucking Associations

AAA

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Association of Equipment Manufacturers

International Union of Operating Engineers

Laborers International Union of North America

United Brotherhood of Carpenters

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Association of Port Authorities

North America’s Building Trades Unions

MADD

Airports Council International – North America

American Highway Users Alliance

American Public Works Association (APWA)

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

American Council of Engineering Companies

The National Industrial Transportation League

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association

Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance

National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association

Construction & Demolition Recycling Association

International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association

American Concrete Pavement Association

The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC)

National Electrical Contractors Association

American Rental Association

American Supply Association

National Precast Concrete Association

United Motorcoach Association

National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association

National Utility Contractors Association

Associated Equipment Distributors

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

National Recreation and Park Association

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

American Iron and Steel Institute

Coalition for America’s Gateways & Trade Corridors

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute

National Safety Council

Industrial Minerals Association – North America

Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA)

North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA)

National Asphalt Pavement Association

American Concrete Pipe Association

Corn Refiners Association

American Traffic Safety Services Association

National Association of Truck Stop Operators

American Society of Landscape Architects

Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association

Governors Highway Safety Association

Institute of Makers of Explosives

Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago

Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association

Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association

International Slurry Surfacing Association

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)