FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 27, 2005

Isakson Named to Conference Committee
for National Highway Funding Bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today was selected by Senate leadership to participate in the committee that will craft a compromise on the national highway funding bill, which is critical for the state of Georgia.

The House and Senate each passed their own versions of the legislation, and the conference committee Isakson has been appointed to will reconcile the differences. The House-passed version calls for $284 billion over six years, while the Senate bill calls for $295 billion over six years.

"I am honored to be selected to serve on this conference committee,” Isakson said. “We must pass a Highway Bill that is fiscally responsible and that will bring much needed improvements and stability to our nation's highway system and infrastructure."

The Highway Bill is critical to the state of Georgia, because it will provide the state with the tools necessary to improve upon and expand its surface transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population.

“Infrastructure is our state’s single greatest need,” Isakson said. “I’m glad Georgia will have a seat at the table.”

Isakson serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over highways. As a member of the House of Representatives, Isakson served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which also had jurisdiction over highways.

“I’m pleased to announce the Senate’s Republican transportation bill conferees,” said Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) in announcing the Senate’s Republican conferees earlier today.  “This bipartisan transportation bill will boost our nation’s economy and encourage economic development in communities throughout the country.  I look forward to a swift conference, so we can send the president a bill he can sign into law.”

The bill also includes a provision authored by Isakson and U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), which seeks money to study two new highways that would boost local economies in Georgia and the Southeast.

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