U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono of Hawai'i have voted with the majority to restore $8 billion in highway-user taxes to the Federal Highway Trust Fund.

Abercrombie says failing to vote for the bill would have led to a 34 percent cut in federal highway funds.

He says that would have cost Hawai'i $53 million in funding for highway and bridge projects and 1,800 people would have lost their jobs.

The legislation transfers $8 billion from the Treasury's general fund to the highway fund, ensuring that ongoing construction projects won't be interrupted.

The House passed the measure on a 376-29 vote Thursday, a day after the Senate overcame objections from conservative senators and passed it on a voice vote.