Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS -- (House of Representatives - April 01, 2004)
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Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), my partner in this endeavor, very much for those extremely kind words and for yielding me this time. It is always a pleasure working with him on any transportation issue, because no one, not only in this country but no one on this Earth, knows as much about transportation as the gentleman from Minnesota does.
I want to begin today by thanking all of my colleagues on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from both sides of the aisle for all of their efforts and dedication. Many of my colleagues in this body have spent many, many hours meeting with countless numbers of individuals and organizations to hear their views.
In particular, I give special mention to three individuals, the chairman of our committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), who has been tireless in trying to develop a bill that will aid and assist us in this country in improving our transportation and infrastructure; the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), who I mentioned earlier, and who, as I said, knows more about transportation than anyone that you will ever encounter, for the great help that he has been in formulating this bill; and the gentleman from Wisconsin, (Mr. Petri), who has gone around the country and seen firsthand so many, many of the needs we have here. He has really been the individual who has brought so much information back to us, telling us where the needs really existed in this country.
These three Members have provided tremendous leadership in getting this bill to where we are today. However, it should not be viewed that this bill was crafted only by members of our committee. Since our committee began to work on this bill, we have asked for and received input and comments from almost every single Member in this body. We have held dozens of hearings, with the active participation of many of my colleagues in this Chamber. And, most importantly, we have listened to what they had to say.
Because of this and the bipartisan history of this committee, I believe we have a very good piece of legislation that reflects many different priorities promoted by Members who represent diverse constituencies and interests. It truly is democracy at work.
As I have said, I believe we have a very solid piece of legislation. While I will be the first one to say that it is not entirely perfect, there is no doubt in my mind that at this particular time this bill is as perfect as we can make it. We have made some significant strides in improving this country's infrastructure, and these accomplishments will benefit Americans now and into the future.
In this bill we have increased funding from $218 billion to $275 billion. While this is not the original funding level proposed by the committee, this still represents a decent increase.
It is important to bear in mind that this legislation is not just about money. It is not just about funding. It is also about innovation and moving transportation policy in new directions. There are many, many things we can point to in this bill. This bill contains new initiatives that will improve our quality of life. We have strengthened current programs to meet our existing conditions, and we have expanded and created new programs to address the needs of today and prepare for the needs of the future.
This bill creates a number of such programs, such as a new and improved National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement program, Highway Safety Improvement program, Small Starts Transit program, and Safe Routes to Schools. This is certainly not the entire list of new programs, but these are examples of new programs that will represent the collected efforts of many individuals and many organizations that have contributed to this bill on the floor today.
Other important programs included are an improved clean fuels formula grant for nonattainment areas like northeastern Illinois, Southern California, New York City, and Washington, D.C. These funds will help transit agencies purchase clean fuel buses and help improve our air quality. Improving air quality is just one of the many important public policy needs that the TEA LU bill addresses.
In this bill, it is recognized that transit is not just for big cities; it is also a growing need in rural communities. To help meet the needs of rural America, we have increased funding to the section 5311 program.
Time after time, survey after survey, Americans point to traffic congestion as a growing and serious problem in this country. In 2001 alone, congestion costs this country $69.5 billion. And, on average, Americans lose 27 hours a year due to delays. As congestion levels continue to rise in the United States, we must focus on modernizing our vital transportation infrastructure and improving the quality of life for all Americans. By targeting Federal resources for specific purposes, this bill would also help improve congestion in major urban areas across this country by creating a safer, more efficient infrastructure for the millions of Americans who use our roads, highways, railways, and bridges each day.
As we continue to move forward with TEA LU, it is easier to think about what may have been. Yes, it would have been nice to have a $375 billion bill; but because of this administration's opposition to raising the highway user fee, this is the hand that we have been dealt. Right here and right now, this is the most practical way to maintain highways, roadways, buses and subways, and protect the safety of the American public.
This bill is a significant step in the right direction. It is a step towards improving our communities, a step towards helping folks spends less time commuting and more time with their families and loved ones; it is a step towards safer travel; and it is a step towards cleaner air. I hope you will take this step with me and lend us your support.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3550, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.
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Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 ½ minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Aviation.
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Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda).
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Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 ¼ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
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Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
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Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield? Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I would also ask that the committee give this issue more review and consideration as we consider future legislation, be it a technical correction amendments or the reopener legislation that the bill before us envisions.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his consideration of these issues, and I pledge my strong support to his efforts and any other member of the committee's efforts to make progress in this area.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).