Thune Statement on Enactment of Legislation to Continue Highway Funding, Avert a Railroad Shutdown.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on President Barack Obama signing H.R. 3819, a bill that authorizes highway funding through November 20, 2015, and averts a railroad service shutdown through an extension of the legal deadline for implementing positive train control technology. Sen. Thune helped craft and build consensus on this legislation and has directed over two years of intensive oversight work from the Commerce Committee.
“Americans who depend on freight and commuter railroads for their livelihoods and critical deliveries can breathe a sigh of relief. This legislation prevents rail service disruptions that would have occurred had Congress not acted, while still ensuring that this critical safety technology is implemented as quickly as possible. This legislation also grants a needed highway extension to facilitate a bipartisan agreement on a comprehensive, multi-year transportation bill.”
