Flickr / Paul Krueger
Touted by the representatives as the "Right of Way for American Drivers Act," the bill would completely eliminate a program known as "
In a press release, Rep. Johnson said "every time commuters fill up at the pump, some of their gas tax dollars go towards projects like buggy trails and bike paths rather than where they are needed most - roads and bridges. My bill would right this wrong."
The bill does not provide long-term federal funding for transportation, something Congress hasn't authorized in six years. Nor does the bill have any effect on the gas tax, which has remained at a constant 18.4 cents-per-gallon since 1993.
Neither representative responded immediately when asked if they support any current long-term transportation funding bills.
Gasconade Bridge is closed indefinitely. Our roads & bridges need work. Do they need flowers? http://t.co/lo8iiFtGhe pic.twitter.com/l2Xeb0yRh0
- Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) June 5, 2015
Rail-to-Trails, an organization that builds bicycle and pedestrian trails from old railroad thoroughfares, quickly denounced the proposed legislation.
"If the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is eliminated, communities across the country will lose the funding they need to make wise investments in active-transportation options at a fraction of the cost of car-only transportation infrastructure," said Patrick Wojahn, Director of Government Relations. "These attacks on TAP are simply unwise and unacceptable.
According to the National Household Travel Survey, 12% of all trips in the U.S. are made on foot or bike.