releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=48533c81-e8b4-4c1d-b12c-2bafa256f1b5
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=48533c81-e8b4-4c1d-b12c-2bafa256f1b5 | Heitkamp Statement on Short-term Extension of Transportation Bill | 2015-10-28 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after the Senate passed a short-term bill authorizing U.S. transportation policy. The 22-day extension, which also passed in the House of Representatives, will give Congress more time to pass a long-term bill. Waiting until the last minute and then punting to a new deadline isnt how North Dakota road construction projects are planned, and it shouldnt be how Congress legislates on our essential infrastructure, said Heitkamp. Theres no good reason to lurch from deadline to deadline like this when almost three months ago the Senate already passed a long-term transportation bill a bill that has broad, bipartisan support. Im hopeful that this short-term patch will push the House and Senate to finally reach consensus on long-term policies to help our economy grow, give businesses certainty, and enable key construction projects in North Dakota and across the country to get done. In 2013, 16.4 percent of bridges in North Dakota were structurally deficient. According to an NDSU-Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute study, 54 percent of roads in western North Dakota will need improvements like resurfacing, widening, reconstruction and other maintenance in 2015. In July, the Senate passed a bipartisan, long-term bill to authorize and fund federal highway programs that support critical infrastructure projects in North Dakota. The bill also included Heitkamps legislation reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, but the House did not take up the Senates bill. The long-term transportation bill passed by the Senate in July included several provisions Heitkamp successfully pushed for, which would help provide a long-term path forward for North Dakotas transportation infrastructure growth. The bill would: Keep North Dakotas Transportation Infrastructure Strong:The bill would provide steady increases in federal funding to make sure the state can plan for its rapidly expanding communities as the states population grows with about $254 million in funding for 2016 and a projected $288.5 million in 2021. Increase Support from Tribal Transit:The bill includes $30 million in automatic funding for theTribal Transit Program a U.S. Department of Transportation program which helps support the operation and planning of public transportation on tribal lands which Heitkamp advocated for. Maintain Support for Critical Research at NDSU:The bill included $72 million in federal funding to continue needed education and research being done at university transportation centers like NDSUsUpper Great Plains Transportation Institute. Cut Unnecessary Red-Tape for Farmers & Custom Harvesters:Heitkampintroduced bipartisan legislationthis spring to make sure farmers and custom harvesters in North Dakota and across the country are not burdened by a financially restrictive and time-consuming requirement of obtaining licenses to transport 1,000 gallons of diesel or less that they need to do their jobs. The Senate-passed bill in July included herFuel Transport Actwhich would cut this unnecessary red-tape. In May, Heitkamp held adiscussion in Bismarck with community leaders about the importance of federal investments to help build and expand roads and bridges in North Dakota, improve safety, and keep up with the increase of traffic on the roads. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |