Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, delivered the following floor statement today on the Surface Transportation Act of 2012 which includes transportation funding and extends the low rate on federal student loans for college students.

Mr. Speaker, later today the House will take up a bill that is key for jobs now and for opportunity for the future.

First, we cannot have a big league economy with little league infrastructure. The transportation bill will do more to create jobs through public investment than any other piece of legislation that this House has passed in the last 18 months. It puts thousands to work repairing roads, bridges and highways, and maintaining our transit systems.

Second, this bill creates opportunity for the future by stopping a devastating interest rate hike on loans students take to pay for college. College affordability is a necessary step for creating opportunity for the future. The bill sends a clear message to college students everywhere: America will invest in you.