WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released the following statement after the House approved a bipartisan agreement with the United States Senate that ensures taxpayer dollars are spent on high-priority infrastructure projects that support economic activity and stops student loan rates from doubling:

“This bipartisan agreement ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent on high-priority infrastructure projects, not bike paths and beautification; cuts red tape to reduce permitting time; and eliminates duplicative federal government programs by two thirds – with no earmarks whatsoever.  We are disappointed that the president and Democratic leaders continue to block the thousands of jobs that would come from building the Keystone pipeline – a project which is supported by the American people and strong bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate – but Republicans will continue to fight for this common-sense proposal. This bill is far from perfect, but it is a substantial improvement over the original Senate highway bill and I’d like to thank Chairman Mica and our negotiators for all their hard work in making this agreement happen. 

“This measure also includes a student loan fix to prevent interest rates from doubling.  Despite the president’s efforts to make this a political issue and distract attention from his failed record on jobs, I’m pleased members of both parties in the Congress worked amicably to resolve the issue.”

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