Congressman Shuster noted that the agreement means a restoration of over $206.3 million for Pennsylvania in transportation funding.  “This increase is crucial for the development of infrastructure in central Pennsylvania and crucial for our economic growth.  It allows current businesses to expand and ship goods faster at lower costs.  In addition, continued investment will help attract new businesses to the area and spur job creation.  When businesses look to locate new jobs to an area, they have to make sure that the highway system is both modern and efficient.  To attract these new jobs, we must continue the robust development of infrastructure here at home,” said Shuster.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have drafted identical legislation to restore the level of highway funding.  The House legislation, entitled the Highway Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 3694), now has an overwhelming 310 cosponsors.  The Senate version, S. 1917, has 66 cosponsors.  

Congressman Shuster noted that the bill must still pass both the House and the Senate before it can be sent to President Bush for his signature and that he will continue to fight to restore the highway funding.  “I am encouraged that the highway funding was restored in the budget resolution in the House, but this is still far from being law.  This was a good first step, and I will continue to work hard to get this through the House of Representatives and the Senate and onto President Bush’s desk,” said Shuster.