Transportation
American families across the country are grappling with increasing costs and economic uncertainty. Last week, the Consumer Price Index confirmed costs of household items, energy, and services have risen by more than 8 percent, on average, over the last 12 months. Consumers are tightening their budgets, purchasing less, choosing generic groceries more, and often going without.
Nebraska is a renewable fuels powerhouse, leading the country in ethanol-blended fuel. Higher ethanol blends are not just good for our state's economy – they also benefit the consumer, making fuel cheaper and giving more options at the pump. However, up until 2019, blends with more than 10 percent ethanol, or E10, could not be sold during the summer months because they did not have a Reid Vapor Pressure, also known as RVP, volatility waiver.
Over the next few days, Americans will travel far and wide to celebrate our nation's Independence Day on July 4th. As travel picks up for the national holiday, it reminds us of how vital functioning and efficient infrastructure is to our country. Whether you are hitting the highway for a road trip this weekend or staying local, infrastructure touches all of our lives.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today announced he has submitted the following member designated project requests to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Appropriations.
Transporation and Infrastructure
Project Name: Heartland Expressway Phase III
Location: Minatare to Alliance, Nebraska
Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Transportation
Requested Funding: $10 million
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), along with the co-chairs of the House Biofuels Caucus, introduced the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act and the Adopt GREET Act today. These two new pieces of legislation would increase access to biofuels for consumers and require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fully recognize their environmental benefits.
October marks the middle of harvest season for crops like corn, soybeans, and sorghum here in Nebraska. This process, the culmination of many months of work, also highlights how we rely on infrastructure for irrigation, transportation, and bringing products to market. Infrastructure has a hand in just about everything we do, including making agriculture more efficient. By prioritizing rural infrastructure, we lay a foundation for national economic growth.
Washington, D.C. –Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after co-leading introduction of the Airport Infrastructure Readiness Act. The bill was introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), with Reps. Don Young (R-AK) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) as additional lead cosponsors.
When we enacted tax reform in 2017, through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we had two goals – simplify compliance and reduce the tax burden on as many Americans as possible. Despite – or I would argue because of – these rate reductions, a strong economy means U.S. federal tax revenue continues to come in at record levels. The federal government does not have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) will host an educational Infrastructure Seminar at Hastings Central Community College on October 3, 2019.