U.S. House must clear up bottleneck over transportation

The rightward-tilting U.S. Cham- ber of Commerce and the leftist-leaning American Federation of Labor/Congress of Industrial Organizations typically make very strange bedfellows. Rarely can they see eye to eye on any public-policy issue. But on one critical issue of long-term importance to Ohio and the nation, the staunch advocate for big business and the unfailing ally of the American worker have cuddled up to support legislation to prevent a crippling bottleneck in this country’s transportation network.

Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives should follow their mature example.

Passage of a long-term bill to ensure thousands of highway and infrastructure projects across the nation won’t stall out demands quick nonpartisan action. Scores and scores of meaningful jobs, thousands and thousands of miles of shoddy roads and an incalculable adverse impact on the nation’s bumpy but slow economic recovery likely hang in the balance.

When the 112th Congress returns to Washington next Monday after its spring recess, it must resolve to slam the brakes on its interparty intransigence, filibustering and inaction. Specifically, it must end what U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., accurately calls “infrastructure chicken.”

Both the Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO recognize the insanity of such political game-playing.

Alex Herrgott of the Chamber said passing an infrastructure bill is essential for the economy on the whole because 84 percent of our economy “relies on transportation.”

“Bridges and highways are not necessarily Republican or Democrat. Everybody needs them,” argued Tom Trotter, AFL-CIO legislative representative.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

The Senate approved a two-year, $109 billion plan in mid-March with both parties backing it, but in the House, conservatives cackled. As a result, Congress approved a last-minute 90-day extension, setting up a new fight that’s likely to drag on until the next deadline in June. The longer the stall, the harsher the consequences will be.

The Buckeye State already is feeling the pain. That’s because federal transportation money funds about 60 percent of Ohio Department of Transportation spending.

Inaction to preserve those dollars will make matters worse than they already are. Earlier this year, uncertainty over revenue streams made ODOT cut back or delay timetables for dozens of major highway projects. For example, a project to repair Interstate 80 in Trumbull County that was scheduled to begin in 2013 now has been pushed back 23 years to 2036.

Multiply that example hundreds of times over across the nation, and the impact of our do-nothing Congress comes into clear view: hundreds of thousands of job losses, further erosion to America’s aging infrastructure and a potent depressant to our slow economic recovery.

Ohio and the nation can ill afford that triple whammy. That’s why House Republican leaders must invite House Democrats into meaningful dialogue next week toward meaningful action next month to move this nation’s dire transportation needs out of first gear.