Rep. Peter DeFazio is one of the most influential knowledgeable members of Congress on transportation issues.  He's the #3 Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, and chairs the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.  He's been a tireless advocate for advancing a surface transportation bill, even drafting a financing mechanism for debate.

He's also not afraid to criticize the White House's role in stalling movement on reauthorization.  Roll Call reports that

"DeFazio blasted the president for not lending a push to the stalled transportation authorization bill, which alone could create millions of infrastructure jobs. But Obama, DeFazio argued, is focusing instead on investing stimulus dollars into areas with less of an impact, such as health care information technology and energy-related jobs."

“We were told we would focus like a laser [on jobs] after December. Well, we haven’t exactly been focused like a laser on jobs and I have seen no movement, particularly on the part of the Obama administration, on the transportation bill."

Democrats: Jobs Get Short Shrift, Roll Call (subscription required)