WASHINGTON - January 31 - House Republican leaders today introduced their version of a transportation bill, under the guise of so-called jobs legislation.  But by loading the bill up with extreme provisions, GOP leaders are showing they’re more interested in scoring political points than in fixing our roads, improving our commutes or creating jobs, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The following is a statement from NRDC President Frances Beinecke:

“The Republican leadership has the temerity to call this horrible package a jobs bill, but it’s actually a measure that will make it impossible to pass a transportation bill – the one true jobs bill Congress could pass this year. 

“Instead of going the bipartisan route taken by the Senate, House Republican leaders have loaded the bill with environmental protection rollbacks, extreme measures that mandate oil drilling just about everywhere, and a permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. The American people need a transportation bill; this bill will prevent them from getting one.”

Please also be sure to check out NRDC Federal Transportation Policy Director Deron Lovaas’ blog on the bill: Worst. Transportation Bill. Ever

and NRDC Transportation Advocacy Director Rob Perks' blog: House GOP to add pipeline “Poison Pill” to Transportation Bill.