Representative Tom Petri (R-WI) offered a motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 1134, the St. Croix River Crossing Project Authorization Act, which would override the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and authorize the construction of a costly, freeway-style bridge over and through the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The proposed bridge would have a "direct and adverse" impact on the St. Croix Riverway, according to the National Park Service, and would harm its scenic and recreational values. The bridge is also a wasteful and inequitable use of taxpayer dollars; it would benefit fewer than 18,000 motorists, but cost three times as much as the new 10-lane I-35W bridge in Minnesota that carries about 140,000 vehicles a day. While a new bridge is needed, it should be developed in a way that is more in line with the wild and scenic values of the St. Croix River. On March 1, the House - by a vote of 339-80 - reached the two-thirds majority necessary to suspend the rules and approve S. 1134 (House roll call vote 93). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The bill was signed into law by President Obama on March 14.