Hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee - The Importance of MAP-21 Reauthorization: Federal and State Perspectives
Hearing
Welcome to the first hearing of the EPW Committee this year. I want to extend an especially warm welcome to our new Committee Members--Senator Capito, Senator Rounds, and Senator Sullivan--and to our witnesses who took time out of their busy schedules to be here today. My top priority this year is to pass a fiscally-responsible, long-term highway bill.
Unfortunately, what used to be the best transportation system in the world is now rapidly deteriorating. While we struggle just to maintain the existing condition of our infrastructure, our global competitors are greatly outpacing us in their infrastructure investment. I know Secretary Foxx will talk more about this.
As we are all aware, the Federal highway program is operating on a short-term extension that expires at the end of May.
My staff is already working with Senator Boxer's staff on a long-term bill that will give our partners the certainty they need to plan and construct important transportation projects.
More short-term extensions are not the answer. Our states, industries, and economy need long-term authorizations that ensure funding and allow for the planning of big, long-term projects of regional and national importance. I have often said the conservative position is to prevent short term extensions, because as history showed us after 9 extensions between SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21, we lose 30% of the Highway Trust Fund's resources when we fail to achieve longer term funding bills. I believe we can do better.
Our infrastructure investments are a partnership between the Federal government and the States. We need to keep up our end of the bargain and pass a fully-funded, long-term bill. I know the governors that are here today will all discuss how critical it is for their states that we maintain a strong Federal program.
Today, we sit at a crossroads. We could take the responsible course and pass a long-term reauthorization of MAP-21, or we could kick the can down the road and find short-term patches that continue the uncertainty facing our partners.
I am committed to doing the right thing, and I thank all of our witnesses for helping spread this message and being here today.
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