Randy Hultgren press release: Hultgren applauds committee approval of job-creating surface transportation bill

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Winfield, released the following statement after the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee favorably reported H.R. 7, the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act.

“The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act will create good-paying jobs across the country and will help American businesses move their goods to market,” said Hultgren, a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “This is a fully-funded, long-term, and robust reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation programs that contains no earmarks and does not raise taxes on hard-working Americans. It also gives states increased flexibility in determining their most critical infrastructure needs, limiting the power of unaccountable federal bureaucrats.

“I’m especially pleased that H.R. 7 takes into account a concern I heard from my constituents during a field hearing at DuPage Airport last year. This bill brings badly-needed reforms the permitting process for infrastructure projects, which is too often cumbersome, leading to delays and wasteful spending.”

The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act also includes two provisions previously introduced as stand-alone legislation by Congressman Hultgren. Incorporated in H.R. 7 are H.R. 1515, the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act, and H.R. 3666, the Veterans Accelerated License Obtainment and Recertification (VALOR) Act.

“I’m excited that Chairman Mica saw fit to include these important bills in our committee’s legislation. The STANDUP Act will make our nation’s roads safer by encouraging states to enact graduated driver’s license (GDL) standards to ensure that teens are prepared for the challenges of the road. The VALOR Act will help us fulfill our commitment to our nation’s veterans by making it easier for them to obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL), based on their military training and experience.”

Both STANDUP and the VALOR Act were introduced with bipartisan support.