[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 121 (Tuesday, July 25, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1509-E1510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 1995
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my strong opposition to 
the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado.
  I think we all know that the gentleman supports the elimination of 
the Interstate Commerce Commission. That has been well documented over 
the years. But this amendment goes beyond previous years' attempts to 
sunset the ICC. This amendment would take a deliberate, organized 
process of transition from the ICC to DOT and throw it completely off 
course.
  Nobody here has any illusions about the future of the ICC. The 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on 
Railroads, on which I am the ranking Democratic member, is currently in 
the process of drafting legislation to sunset the ICC. We are in the 
process of determining which functions of the agency should be retained 
and absorbed by the Department of Transportation or a Commerce Board. 
Slashing the ICC's appropriation in this bill is tantamount to pulling 
the rug out from under our feet as we try to move forward--not to 
mention the disruption it would have on the close down of the ICC 
itself.
  The truth is that Mr. Hefley's amendment would not fund sufficient 
staff to perform ICC functions which are certain to be transferred. In 
fact, the amendment would hamstring the Federal Government's ability to 
carry out regulatory functions that even the regulated industries have 
said are necessary.
  This amendment would fund only 53 positions at DOT for all remaining 
ICC rail functions. These 53 people would process all proposed rail 
consolidations and mergers, line abandonment and construction 
proposals, and line sale requests. They would also review shipper rate 
complaints, all rail car supply and interchange disputes, and shipper 
complaints seeking competitive access to more than one rail carrier.
  These individuals would also process the 300 motor carrier 
undercharge cases currently pending before the Commission. I know that 
my colleagues are familiar with the undercharge crisis and recognize 
that millions of dollars of disputes are currently pending in courts 
around the country. Many of them will eventually be referred to the 
Commission or its successor.
  I think my point is quite clear: 53 people cannot effectively perform 
all these tasks. And none of these areas is slated for deregulation.
  This amendment would wreak havoc on the ICC and the transition to its 
successor. And let's be honest here--the affected industries and the 
American people will pay the price if this misguided amendment passes. 
It is one thing to support regulatory reform and efficiency, and 
entirely another to intentionally underfund and thereby undermine a 
sound regulatory process.

[[Page E 1510]]

  You want to get rid of the Interstate Commerce Commission?
  Fine. But let's do it right. Vote ``no'' on the Hefley amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time
  

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