WASHINGTON – On behalf of our 39 affiliated labor unions, the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) issued the following statement ahead of the expected Senate Floor vote on H.R. 6500, the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government and extend transportation funding:
“Today, the Senate will vote on a Continuing Resolution to extend current funding levels for all transportation programs. Ensuring the government does not have a lapse in funding that results in furloughs of safety and security critical personnel, including air traffic controllers and transportation security officers, that protect the safety and security of the public is at the core of Congress’ responsibility.
“The bill also prevents a lapse in the Highway Trust Fund and extends some of the highway, public transit, and railroad programs. We appreciate that the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement to prevent a damaging shutdown, attendant furloughs, and lapses in funding for all transportation modes. However, we are disappointed that the bill does not renew advance appropriations.
“Unless Congress acts to extend advance appropriations, state and local agencies, engineering firms, contractors, suppliers, and operators will lose access to more than $36 billion in annual funding next year for highway, transit, bridge, rail, maritime, port, airport, and other transportation and infrastructure programs.
“TTD and other stakeholders across the modes continue to warn Congress about the impacts of the loss of advance appropriations. While this funding is an investment in our national, state, and local economies, alongside the national supply chain, it is also an important investment in the American workers who build, maintain, and operate transportation systems and infrastructure.
“As Congress looks to the weeks ahead, we stand ready to work together to find a path forward on advance appropriations. ”
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