WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today said Congress should stop ignoring federal transportation priorities in the wake of a multi-billion rescission of federal funds from states where they were allocated by a 2005 law.  Missouri lost $202 million which was called back to the U.S. Treasury on October 1.

“I am extremely disappointed that an agreement was not reached to keep these dollars at work in Missouri and other states across the nation. Congress had ample opportunities to address this matter and to make sure those transportation dollars stayed in the states where they belong, but the majority in Washington isn’t getting the job done,” Emerson said. 

She cited the importance of federal transportation support for Southern Missouri highways, bridges and other roads as the primary reason to extend the funds, also saying that the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act was a disappointment in addressing transportation issues.  Only ten percent of the federal stimulus dollars allocated by the bill have been spent.

“Here at home, our transportation infrastructure and our rural economy go hand-in-hand. Earlier this year, I opposed the so-called ‘stimulus’ bill because it didn’t address this priority, among other reasons.  A bill that should have been about the infrastructure that forms the solid basis for our jobs and economy was instead turned into hundreds of billions in spending to grow the size of government,” Emerson added.

Emerson says this debate is as much about the way forward as it is about fighting to keep these transportation dollars in Missouri.

“We need to get back to basic economic priorities, like transportation infrastructure. Right now, my focus is on the upcoming transportation reauthorization and the selection of solid, needed projects to make sure Southern Missouri has the federal attention to create, continue and complete the transportation successes in our region,” Emerson said.