Speech #750216192

The Federal highway funds should be devoted to highways and the widening and rebuilding of bridges which are essential parts of the Federalaid highway system. There should be no diverting of such funds. as would be permitted under section 1 (e) of the bill. to paying for the cost of constructing interstate or international bridges and the approaches thereto. There is certainly no Justification for including- as part of the Federalaid highway system any facilities required by Customs and Immigration Services in connection with the operation of an international bridge. I repeat that the amendment sets a dangerous precedent. and. moreover. it is wholly inconsistent with the amendment contained in section 12 of the bill. which expressly condemns the diversion of State motorvehicle registration fees. licenses. gasoline taxes. and other special taxes on motorvehicle owners and operators of all kinds to nonhighway purposes. If we condemn the States for diverting gasoline and other taxes on highway users to purposes other than the construction. improvement. or maintenance of highways. then I submit that it is clearly inconsistent for Congress to authorize the use of Federalaid highway funds for the building of approaches to any interstate or international bridge when the primary intention has always been that Federal highway funds shall be used solely and exclusively for the construction and maintenance of the essential portions of the great Federalaid highway system which we now have throughout the United States.