WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) along with CPC First Vice Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released the following statement announcing the introduction of H.R. 932, The Mobility, Opportunity, and Vocation Enabling (MOVE) Act:
“America is falling behind when it comes to our transportation needs. This doesn’t just mean driving on crumbling roads – it means missed opportunities to provide transportation equity that can help reduce poverty, unemployment and the financial burdens of people who work hard for a living. By providing greater access to jobs and more affordable, accessible transportation options – the greatest social mobility factor – we can help communities thrive.
“We must invest in our transportation needs and spend the dollars wisely. The MOVE Act would help increase connections to jobs, provide more options for getting around, and help ensure that all Americans have access to the benefits of our transportation infrastructure. This is an initiative with bipartisan support that will help millions – that’s why this policy was included in the Transportation appropriations for Fiscal Year 2017. We look forward to working with Republicans on this common-sense measure again this year.”
The MOVE Act will direct the Department of Transportation to create performance measures for transportation planning that would assess:
· Cumulative increase in residents’ connection to jobs;
· Accessibility for disadvantaged populations; and
· The variety of modes of transportation available to users, such as public transportation, roads and highways, and bike and pedestrian pathways.
State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations would then set performance targets under each measure and report their progress in reaching these targets to the public.
The full text of the bill is attached.
Organizations supporting the MOVE Act include: Transportation for America, PolicyLink, and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.
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