Washington, D.C.—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) delivered the following remarks today on the House Floor in support of his bipartisan amendment in the new highway infrastructure bill that would designate  the I-27 Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a Future Interstate, which starts in Laredo, TX. This designation will make Texas and New Mexico eligible for increased federal funding to complete the I-27 highway expansion project.

Congressman Cuellar delivers remarks in support of H.R. 2. To view his remarks, click here.

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Chairman DeFazio and his staff for working very hard to put this bill together that would add $1.5 trillion dollars for our highways and infrastructure. Thank you so much.

“I'm pleased to offer this bipartisan amendment in order to designate the I-27 Ports to Plains Corridor as a future interstate that starts in Laredo, the largest inland port in the country.

“I want to thank Representatives Jodey Arrington, Brian Babin, Lizzie Fletcher, and Ben Lujan for all the work that they have done to get to this part.

This designation will make Texas and New Mexico eligible for increased federal funding to complete the I-27 highway expansion project, creating economic growth, jobs, trade opportunities across those two states.

“The I-27 expansion will grow the Texas G.D.P. by $17.2 billion and create 178,000 construction jobs. It would also add 17,000 long-term employment opportunities in the new I-27 corridor. It would also make Laredo as the only port of entry that will have three corridors:  I-35, I-69, I-27.

“So with that, I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bipartisan amendment that will help improve trade in South Texas, Texas, and across New Mexico.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.”

To read Congressman Cuellar’s I-27 amendment, click here.