Congresswoman Johnson Named As Conferee On Transportation Bill

Lawmakers in the House moved quickly to appoint conferees to a potential conference on highway funding with the Senate after passing a $325 billion transportation package on Thursday morning. 

Both chambers are hoping to meet ahead of a Nov. 20 deadline for renewing federal road funding that is currently set to expire on that date. 

Leaders in the House appointed 16 Republicans and 12 Democrats to sit in on the forthcoming negotiations with the Senate, including Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who are the top ranking lawmakers on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 

“This is an outstanding, hard-working group of Members,” Shuster said in a statement.  “I am confident that we will be able to take the strong House bill approved today, resolve any differences we have with the Senate’s position, and produce a final measure that improves our nation’s infrastructure and reforms our transportation programs.”

The highway bill that was approved by the House on Thursday calls for spending $261 billion on highways and $55 billion on transit over six years. The legislation authorizes highway funding for six years, but only if Congress can come up with a way to pay for the final three years. The bill was approved in a 363-64 vote.

The Senate passed a similar piece of legislation that contained three years' worth of guaranteed highway funding in July, and lawmakers in the upper chamber have said they are eager to get to conference. 

"Today the House of Representatives gave strong bipartisan support for a long-term surface transportation bill, which enables us to move forward to conference so we can work out our differences and get this legislation to the President’s desk by Thanksgiving," said Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who are the top ranking Republican and Democrat, respectively, on the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee. 

"Businesses, labor, states, and local communities are depending on us to pass a consensus-based, bipartisan bill which provides funding certainty that will enable them to modernize our nation’s highways, bridges, and transit systems," the Senate duo continued. "We are also pleased that this bill provides the opportunity for increased investment in our aging infrastructure.”

Other Republican highway bill conferees announced on Thursday by the House include Reps. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.); Sam Graves (R-Mo.); Candice Miller (R-Mich.); Rick Crawford (R-Ark.); Lou Barletta (R-Pa.); Blake Farenthold (R-Texas); Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio); Jeff Denham (R-Calif.); Reid Ribble (R-Wis.); Scott Perry (R-Pa.); Rob Woodall (R-Ga.); John Katko (R-N.Y.); Brian Babin (R-Texas); Cresent Hardy (R-Nev.) and Garret Graves (R-La.). 

Source: The Hill

Congresswoman Johnson Receives Lifetime Infrastructure Champion Award

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was presented with the “Lifetime Infrastructure Champion Award” at the Irving Transportation & Water Summit, an event hosted by the City of Irving on Aug. 20. The Summit was attended by approximately 300 state officials, infrastructure administrators, business leaders and private citizens from throughout the state of Texas.

“North Texas has become a model for infrastructure and transportation in our country,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “I learned early in my congressional career the importance of a strong infrastructure and transportation system. I know how much, not only the people in District 30, but those throughout the state of Texas, rely on well-maintained highways and bridges. I also know how important it is for the state of Texas to meet the demands of businesses and residents, who rely on various modes of transportation.  As a member of Congress, I will continue to fight for the funding required to meet the needs of the people of Texas. Good highways lead to good jobs for people, and better jobs lead to a better economy for Texas.”

During the presentation of the award, Michael Morris, the Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments noted: “Congresswoman Johnson has done more to promote quality transportation and infrastructure than anyone else in North Texas…The work of Congresswoman Johnson has improved the lives of all people who reside in North Texas. Our quality of life exists because of her efforts.” 

The DFW Metropolitan Area is the largest regional economy in Texas, representing roughly 25 percent of the State’s economy.  By the year 2025, the region is expected to attract nearly three million new residents and over two million new jobs.  Congresswoman Johnson emphasized that securing adequate transportation funding to ensure the North Texas region will be able to sustain its economic growth will remain a top priority.

Congresswoman Johnson has been a champion for Texans throughout her distinguished career as a Member of Congress.  Since her election to Congress in 1992, she has been widely recognized in Washington as a skillful and effective legislator.  Because of her seniority in the U.S. Congress, she has been able to leverage her experience to benefit the 30th Congressional District.  She is the senior Texan on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and has fought hard to ensure that North Texas’ transportation system is responsive to all residents. She has championed the development of an efficient and integrated transportation (multimodal, intermodal, pedestrian, and bicycle) system that is critical in maintaining the region’s quality of life and economic vitality.

Source: North Dallas Gazette

Congresswoman Johnson Applauds Passage Of Water Resources Development Act 2013

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson applauds the passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2013, a bipartisan bill that authorized Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to America’s ports, waterways, and projects. The legislation included flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees, and issues related to environmental restoration. The measure was designed to increase investments in improving the nation’s ports, by calling for an increase in the percentage of revenues collected each year through the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund spent on harbor projects. The legislation authorized nearly a billion dollars for enhancing Texas ports and waterways and provides for an assessment of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

“As the Senior Texan on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and cosponsor of this legislation, I supported this legislation but that doesn’t mean I will stop working on those provisions that weaken environmental protections and the ability of the public to participate in streamlining provisions of the bill. 

As Co-Chair of the Texas Maritime Caucus, I have supported language in this bill to increase commercial navigation capabilities for Texas’ ports and waterways. I am excited about Texas’ ports and the role that they play in cultivating the Texas economy, the National economy, and the global economy.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 passed with overwhelmingly bi-partisan support by a vote of 417 yeas to 3 nays.