Washington, D.C. (July 15, 2014) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today regarding the passage of a short-term patch to the Highway Trust Fund in the U.S. House: 

While America should be relieved that Congress appears to be moving to prevent a complete collapse of the Highway Trust Fund next month, law-makers have no excuses for abdicating their responsibility to pass a long-term, full-investment bill.

The direction Congress is moving does nothing to address the safety of motorists, jobs at risk and economic competitiveness. One in four of our nation’s bridges will remain deficient or obsolete. Poor road conditions will continue to contribute to a third of traffic fatalities – about 10,000 lives needlessly lost each year.

There is still time to pass a long-term reauthorization this year, but Congress needs the courage to get past politics, to find the ability to lead and to develop the will to make our roads and bridges safe by fixing them – not duct-taping them. 

While a number of members of Congress have had the courage and conviction to address the need for long-term investment in America’s crumbling infrastructure, too many in both chambers cower at the thought of taking a vote that will actually move our nation forward.

LIUNA will continue to support the true leaders who will fight for these solutions.

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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America. 

See LIUNA’s campaign to press for long term, full investment in our roads and bridges – including radio ads, billboards, online action and the “Getting Schooled in Infrastructure” school bus tour – at www.FixOurBridges.org. For up-to-the-minute information on the “Getting Schooled” tour, follow LIUNA on twitter @LIUNA.