Washington -- Four members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have co-sponsored the Transportation Empowerment Act (H.R. 3486), introduced by Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA). On Friday, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) signed onto the bill, joining their colleague Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) who signed on last month. Notably, Rep. Southerland was on the MAP-21 conference committee in 2012. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
"The most innovative and exciting policy ideas in the nation are being introduced and supported by conservative lawmakers. The Transportation Empowerment Act would empower states to fund and manage their transportation programs and priorities, cutting out the bureaucrats in Washington. As members of the committee, Congressmen Farenthold, Meadows, Ribble and Southerland are perfectly positioned to advance this important policy reform. We applaud their leadership and urge their colleagues to join them in supporting this important reform."