Washington, Jul 23, 2008 - Rep. John Carter (TX-31) made the following statement today after the house passed a bill to restore the Highway Trust Fund balance (H.R. 6532) by transferring $8 billion from the United States general fund to the Highway Trust Fund, without raising taxes.

“Transportation dollars are vital to the continued growth and stability of our state.  Nowhere is this more prevalent than in Central Texas.  Without this action, the Highway Trust Fund would go belly-up next year, leaving Texas highways $853 million dollars short, when we have already lost millions due to the looming problem.  

 “I agree that this solution is not a long-term one, but it does allow Congress the time to work out a reasonable, bipartisan response to keep the Highway Trust Fund from going broke.”