July 29, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 128 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages S5147-S5148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 288--AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LONG-TERM 
                   SOLVENCY OF THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND

  Mr. BRAUN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works:

                              S. Res. 288

       Whereas, in July 2019, the public debt of the United States 
     was more than $22,000,000,000,000, increasing each year by a 
     Federal budget deficit of nearly $1,000,000,000,000;
       Whereas the Federal Government is facing shortfalls in 
     several Federal trust funds, including the Highway Trust 
     Fund, which is expected to reach insolvency in July 2021;
       Whereas the infrastructure of the United States needs 
     substantial investment in order to continue supporting the 
     growing economy of the United States;
       Whereas, according to a report published in 2015 by the 
     Federal Highway Administration, 20 percent of the Federal-aid 
     highways in the United States were in poor condition;

[[Page S5148]]

       Whereas short-term extensions providing funding to the 
     Highway Trust Fund do not provide the certainty needed by 
     States and local governments to enter into long-term 
     roadbuilding contracts; and
       Whereas short-term extensions providing funding to the 
     Highway Trust Fund, based solely on deficit spending, 
     exacerbate the problem described in the preceding whereas 
     clause and only serve to postpone solving the problem: Now, 
     therefore, be it
     Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the Highway Trust Fund should achieve long-term 
     solvency through user fees; and
       (2) any spending on Federal highway programs during the 
     next reauthorization period that exceeds current Highway 
     Trust Fund revenues and balances should be fully offset.

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