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WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Tennessee and other states are delaying major construction projects relevant to the trucking sector because they are unsure long-term federal backing will be there to help finance their plans.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, is proposing legislation that would authorize $1 trillion in spending over the next five years to fund transportation projects around the country.

Rep. Bill Shuster, the top transportation policy writer in the House, said modernizing freight corridors to help trucks and other modes of transportation improve the way they deliver goods will be a main focus of his committee this year.

WASHINGTON��— Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told mayors from around the country that if they are looking to advance public works projects in their municipalities that help trucking and other sectors they need the support from their members of Congress.

WASHINGTON��— Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the transportation policy committee in the House, said there is not enough congressional support to approve an increase of fuel taxes to pay for infrastructure projects vital to the trucking industry.

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the transportation policy-writing Environment and Public Works committee, said he will ask senators to consider a variety of funding proposals to advance a five-year highway bill this year.

In his State of the Union address Jan. 20, President Obama sought to reassure Americans that his administration is determined to finance big-ticket infrastructure projects with Congress’ help to boost key industries such as trucking and construction.��