Washington, D.C. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) voted for a bipartisan bill today that reforms and reauthorizes critical transportation funding and safety programs, reauthorizes a national flood-insurance program, and freezes interest rates on certain federally-backed student loans. 

“I’m proud to vote for this legislation which will have a positive and direct impact on Eastern Washington, authorizing critical funding for road and bridge construction projects, like the North South Freeway, and keeping higher education affordable for those attending our colleges and universities,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.

The Conference Report accompanying H.R. 4348 is a fully paid-for two-year authorization that does not raise taxes, consolidates duplicative programs, and streamlines regulatory red tape to allow road and highway construction projects to move forward faster and cost less. Additionally, the Conference Report extends through 2013 the Secure Rural Schools and PILT programs.

The House and Senate passed today’s bill with large, bipartisan majorities.

Unless Congress took action today, transportation funding was scheduled to stop on June 30, the interest rates on federally-backed student loans were scheduled to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, and the National Flood Insurance Program was due to expire July 3.