WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Rep. Pat Meehan, R-Pa., Saturday called a highway bill opposed by some conservatives critical to the economy and noted it has no earmarks.
"In 2005, I'm sad to say, a Republican-led Congress passed a highway bill that contained more than 6,300 earmarks, including the 'Bridge to Nowhere.' John Boehner was one of only eight members who voted against that bill. He's now our speaker, and those days are over," Meehan said in the weekly GOP media address.
By contrast, Meehan said, the American Energy & Jobs Infrastructure Act would generate revenue to pay for infrastructure by increasing production of energy.
"Instead of more earmarks or new taxes, our bill will remove barriers to job growth by expanding American energy production, which will help lower gas prices, and using the revenue to repair and improve our roads and bridges," he said.
Environmentalists have come out against the bill's energy provisions, while the conservative Club for Growth says it's holding yes votes against members in its score-keeping, The Hill reported.
