Issue Position: Transportation and Infrastructure

Issue Position

Paving a Path to Alaska's Future

From the very beginning of my career I have understood the significant role which transportation and infrastructure plays in the success or failure of Alaska's current and future goals. That is exactly why I worked to become Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, a position which I held for the better part of a decade. With my seniority, I am able to influence and direct legislation which affects some of the most important foundations of our Alaskan lifestyle and lifeblood. It is thanks to the confidence you've had in me, and thanks to the support of my colleagues in Congress that we have reached this powerful position - a position which has been 35 years in the making and one that will continue to provide for my fellow Alaskans.

I believe in producing results instead of promises. Here are just a few of the things which I have been working on as your Representative in Congress.

A landmark bill which we were able to pass during my leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was: H.R. 3, SAFETEA-LU, a bill which reauthorized the Federal highway, public transportation, highway safety and motor carrier safety programs. All while providing funds for the maintenance and improvement of our Nation's roads, bridges, and transit systems. It also created tens of thousands of jobs for Americans across the country and provided funding for essential road and transportation projects in Alaska.

H.R. 3 also saw the creation of the Denali Access System Program which is overseen by representatives of regional Native Corporations, native nonprofit entities, and tribal governments. This program directs much needed funds to rural Alaskan communities in need of transportation projects. The program provides $15 million each year for improvements to or new construction of local streets, roads, boardwalks, dust abatement, boat launch sites and inter-village road connections.

After several years of negotiations and hard work, the Water Resources Development Act, H.R. 1495 has finally become law. This bill is responsible for authorizing the necessary funds for flood control, hurricane protection, and navigation and ecosystem restoration projects across the Nation. In addition, it includes authorizing language for 21 Alaska programs in communities across the state.

Bills Passed by the House and Voted For

H.R. 720 - Water Quality Financing Act of 2007

This bill provides $20 billion, paid over four years, to the Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Each state and Puerto Rico maintain revolving loan funds through federal government grants and state matching funds to provide independent and permanent sources of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects including wastewater treatment facilities.

H.R. 569 - Water Quality Investment Act of 2007

This bill extends the Federal funding authorized to control combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows.

H.R. 1773 - SAFE American Roads ACT

This bill sets strict requirements for the Department of Transportation to enforce the regulations for any vehicles participating in the Mexican American Cross-Border Trucking pilot project.

H.R. 2095 - Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007

This bill greatly improves the safety and efficiency of our Nation's railroad system because it provides more rest for crews, decreased limbo time, and enhanced control measures while it increases the number of rail safety monitors.

Bills Cosponsored

H.R. 1493 - Public Transportation and Rail Security Assistance Act

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to public transportation agencies, over-the-road bus operators, and railroads to improve security. Specifically, it requires a public transportation security assessment (as stated in SAFETEA-LU) of each public transportation system to identify the critical assets, threats, and security weaknesses and the need for backup systems and employee training.

H.R. 2881 - FAA Reauthorization Act

This bill reauthorizes appropriations for airport planning and development, air navigation facilities and equipment; and FAA operations. It raises the mandatory retirement age rule to 65 for airline pilots and provides for some much needed Air Traffic Control modernization, a factor which we will appreciate the next time we're flying through a storm in an aircraft. This bill also includes a land exchange at Merrill Field for the city of Anchorage to widen the highway between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley which will help ease traffic congestion.

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