Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) issued this statement after casting his vote against the $275 billion highway transportation bill the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users or TEA-LU for short. 

 

“I was not elected to Congress to stand by and watch Texas’ gas taxes end up building more roads in Massachusetts and Vermont than in Houston.  Texas taxpayers sent $2.4 billion to Washington at the pump last year.  We need a transportation bill that guarantees more of that money stays right here at home. 

 

“On average, Texas taxpayers get back about 86 cents for every dollar they send to Washington in gas taxes for federal transportation funding.  Under this new bill, Texas receives even less -- about 78 cents back.  This makes an already unfair share more unfair,” said Brady. 

 

Historically, Texas has always been a “donor” state, which means taxpayers send more fuel tax monies to Washington than they see back. Some states get back as much as $3 for each dollar they contribute. This bill did nothing to correct the inequity Texas and other donor states already face, and in Texas’ case, actually was a step backwards in transportation funding. 

 

“This transportation bill is a step backwards for Texas and Houston roads, bridges, and mobility priorities.  It takes nearly half of the commuters in my district 30 minutes to drive to work each day, and a fourth drive more than 45 minutes to work  This bill leaves us even less money to relieve the congestion our region now faces,” said Brady.