WASHINGTON (April 18) – Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) today defended the Northern Beltline after a Democrat Member of Congress attempted to kill funding for the major highway project.

            Bachus voted against a legislative proposal offered during floor debate on a transportation bill that would have specifically eliminated funding for the construction of the Northern Beltline. The measure, proposed by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), would have denied the State of Alabama funding for the completion of the project that it is due to receive from the Appalachian Development Highway System.

            The measure was part of a procedural motion from the House Democrat leadership that was defeated by a vote of 242 in opposition to 176 in favor.

            Bachus issued the following statement on the failed effort to kill the highway improvement project for the Birmingham region.

            “We were successful in defeating this sneak attack on the Northern Beltline. The construction of the Northern Beltline is vital to the economic future of the Birmingham region, and it will have other benefits like relieving traffic congestion and reducing air pollution. The economic impact study done by the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research cited the many benefits of this project, including the creation of 70,000 jobs and a $7 billion economic impact during construction alone. The Northern Beltline project continues to have my full support.”