Tim Ryan, 3 other Dems want Obama to focus on highway bill

Staff report

WASHINGTON

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan urged President Barack Obama to focus on passing a multiyear highway bill before pushing his trade agenda.

Joining Ryan, of Howland, D-13th, on the letter Friday were three other Democratic congressman: Peter DeFazio of Oregon, ranking member on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, ranking member of the Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee; and Louise Slaughter of New York, ranking member of the House Committee on Rules.

“There are 70,000 bridges in the United States that are considered to be structurally deficient,” Ryan said. “This is an opportunity to put hundreds of thousands of Americans back to work to improve our country’s infrastructure. There is no doubt it will cost more if we wait. This should be President Obama’s priority — and needs to be completed instead of a controversial and damaging trade agreement.”

Ryan and other Democrats oppose giving Obama, a fellow Democrat, the authority to “fast-track” a trade agreement, the Trans Pacific Partnership, which removes tariffs on goods and services and reduces regulations among 12 counties, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Australia.

Fast-tracking gives the administration sole power to negotiate the deal.