Well, I e-mailed my Representative Tom Davis and also the two Virginia Senators George Allen and John Warner. And finally Tom Davis responded. He doesn’t commit to anything, which, sadly, I did not expect, but I am going to post his response here anyway.
As you know, in response to the destruction brought to the Gulf Coast, Congress passed two emergency supplemental bills that provide $62.3 billion for emergency response and recovery needs. I appreciate the concerns many Americans have regarding the spending level to respond to such a disaster, and how to defray such costs. Currently, all possible options are being looked at including across the board agency cuts, reductions in previously appropriated funds, and scaling back planned tax cuts.
Some have recommended cutting transportation projects from the recently passed transportation bill. This is an idea that I do not support. The reality is that the earmarks that I helped secure for Northern Virginia in this bill simply specify how money given to Virginia should be spent. Otherwise, the funds would simply be given to VDOT and then distributed by Richmond to other parts of the state. As you know, Northern Virginians have long been concerned that their needs are not appreciated by other parts of the state.
Given Northern Virginia's extreme traffic problems and numerous transportation infrastructure needs, it is important that projects such as widening 66 inside the beltway, improving the Rt. 66 and Rt. 29 interchange in Gainesville, widening 29 between Eaton Place and 123 in Fairfax City, and widening I-95 from 123 to the Fairfax County Parkway get the necessary funds to address the congestion here in Northern Virginia.
This is not to say, however, that spending is not a concern. As Congress looks at all proposals to address the Katrina situation, please be assured that I will keep your concerns in mind. Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me, and please continue to keep me informed of issues of importance to you.
Sincerely,
Tom Davis
Member of Congress
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