WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) today joined a bipartisan majority of the Senate to pass the first long-term highway bill in ten years.  

The Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act provides a six year road map for federal highway programs financed by the Highway Trust Fund. This bill will create new jobs, reduce congestion, provide a sustaining boost to our nation’s economy and keep America competitive in the global marketplace.

“The DRIVE Act revamps federal highway programs and makes sure revenue that is supposed to go to infrastructure is returned to the states to build and repair roads and bridges. It saves money by providing a steady and reliable framework for project planning. It will create immediate jobs and produce decades of economic opportunity for communities,” Boozman said. “The House has pledged to take up a long-term bill when members return and I am committed to working with them to ensure the core of the DRIVE Act is included in the final product.”

Boozman also voted in favor of the short-term extension passed by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday. That bill extends the current highway program through Oct. 29, 2015.

Boozman expressed confidence that the Senate and the House could come together to send a long-term bill to the President to be signed into law before the short-term extension expires.

“Arkansas and other states cannot and should not have to rely on short-term funding that fails to provide certainty for important infrastructure improvements. I am confident that we can come to an agreement to pass a long-term solution in the coming months,” Boozman said.