Washington -- Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will markup the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA). Over the next six years, the bill would authorize $325 billion in new spending. During that same time period, the federal gas tax is projected to bring in $240 billion, which means this bill will necessitate an $85 billion bailout of the federal Highway Trust Fund. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
"Only in Washington could an $85 billion bailout be considered 'fiscally responsible.' Americans did not give Republicans a historic majority so they could run slightly smaller deficits than the Democrats. If the GOP wants to honor its electoral promises, it must fight against the bipartisan desire in this town to spend more money and create new programs. Chairman Shuster's bill is a missed opportunity to truly reform transportation policy and bring spending under control."