AEM urges Congress to act on transit legislation

May 26, 2005
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is urging the House and Senate to quickly complete action on critical reauthorization of federal highway and public transportation programs. This reauthorization legislation will set guaranteed funding levels for highway construction and transit capital investment for the next several years.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is urging the House and Senate to quickly complete action on critical reauthorization of federal highway and public transportation programs. This reauthorization legislation will set guaranteed funding levels for highway construction and transit capital investment for the next several years.

For over 20 months, Congress has been unable to reauthorize the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). Federal highway and public transportation programs have operated under six extensions, with the most recent expiring May 31.

“Congress needs to pass a long-term highway/transit bill and end the nearly two years of short-term extensions of the program,” AEM president Dennis J. Slater said. “The overwhelming support that respective bills have received in the House and Senate should provide momentum for a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two bills.”

AEM represents the off-road equipment manufacturing industry and notes that the TEA-21 legislation is critical to provide needed funds to repair and maintain an adequate transportation network, and to assure stability and continued growth in the transportation construction industry.