[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 1, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H8285-H8290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT EXTENSION

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House 
immediately consider the bill (H.R. 2516) to extend the Intermodal 
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 through March 31, 1998; 
that the amendment now at the desk be considered as adopted; and that 
the bill, as amended, be considered as passed.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  The text of H.R. 2516 is as follows:

                               H.R. 2516

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

       This Act makes funds available for the Federal-aid highway, 
     highway safety, motor carrier safety, and mass transportation 
     programs for the first 6 months of fiscal year 1998 by 
     extending the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 
     Act of 1991 to ensure the continuation of such programs while 
     a multiyear reauthorization is developed. This extension is 
     structured to allow programmatic, apportionment formula, and 
     funding adjustments for the second 6 months of fiscal year 
     1998 through enactment of a multiyear program.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAM FUNDING.

       (a) In General.--Section 1003 of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 1918-1922) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Federal-Aid Highways for the Period October 1, 1997, 
     Through March 31, 1998.--
       ``(1) In general.--For Federal-aid highways and highway 
     safety construction programs, $11,942,375,000 are authorized 
     to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than 
     the Mass Transit Account) during the period October 1, 1997, 
     through March 31, 1998, and shall be distributed in 
     accordance with this subsection.
       ``(2) Certain discretionary programs.--Of the amounts made 
     available by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall deduct 
     $32,500,000 to carry out section 118(c)(2) of title 23, 
     United States Code, for the period October 1, 1997, through 
     March 31, 1998, and shall deduct $30,250,000 to carry out the 
     discretionary program under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 
     144(g) of such title during such period.
       ``(3) State allocation percentages.--From amounts remaining 
     after making the deductions under paragraph (2) and 
     application of paragraphs (4) and (5), the Secretary shall 
     determine the amount to be apportioned among the States in 
     accordance with the following table:

        ``State:                                            Percentage:
Alabama..........................................................2.0026
Alaska...........................................................1.0499
Arizona..........................................................1.4627
Arkansas.........................................................1.5268
California.......................................................8.9046
Colorado.........................................................1.0443
Connecticut......................................................1.9229
Delaware.........................................................0.4057
District of Columbia.............................................0.4436
Florida..........................................................4.4867
Georgia..........................................................3.2899
Hawaii...........................................................0.6435
Idaho............................................................0.6314
Illinois.........................................................3.6779
Indiana..........................................................2.4581
Iowa.............................................................1.1364
Kansas...........................................................1.1383
Kentucky.........................................................1.6617
Louisiana........................................................1.4831
Maine............................................................0.6458
Maryland.........................................................1.4512
Massachusetts....................................................3.5632
Michigan.........................................................3.0432
Minnesota........................................................1.4547
Mississippi......................................................1.1286
Missouri.........................................................2.2677
Montana..........................................................0.7857
Nebraska.........................................................0.7501
Nevada...........................................................0.6218
New Hampshire....................................................0.4764
New Jersey.......................................................2.6851
New Mexico.......................................................0.8767
New York.........................................................5.7882
North Carolina...................................................2.7408
North Dakota.....................................................0.5972
Ohio.............................................................3.4702
Oklahoma.........................................................1.5021
Oregon...........................................................1.1378
Pennsylvania.....................................................4.5007
Rhode Island.....................................................0.4708
South Carolina...................................................1.6019
South Dakota.....................................................0.5990
Tennessee........................................................2.0954
Texas............................................................6.9197
Utah.............................................................0.6672
Vermont..........................................................0.4287
Virginia.........................................................2.4440
Washington.......................................................1.7603
West Virginia....................................................1.1088
Wisconsin........................................................2.0159
Wyoming..........................................................0.5999
Puerto Rico.....................................................0.4312.

       ``(4) State programmatic distribution.--
       ``(A) In general.--Of the funds to be apportioned to each 
     State under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall ensure that 
     the State is apportioned an amount of such funds, determined 
     under subparagraph (B), for the Interstate maintenance 
     program, the National Highway System, the bridge program, the 
     surface transportation program, the congestion mitigation and 
     air quality program, minimum allocation under section 157 of 
     title 23, United States Code, Interstate reimbursement under 
     section 160 of such title, the donor State bonus under 
     section 1013(c) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
     Efficiency Act of 1991, hold harmless under section 1015(a) 
     of such Act, 90 percent of payments adjustments under 
     section 1015(b) of such Act, metropolitan planning under 
     section 134 of such title, section 1015(c) and sections 
     1103 through 1108 of such Act, and funding restoration 
     under section 202 of the National Highway System 
     Designation Act of 1995.
       ``(B) Formula.--The amount which each State is to be 
     apportioned under this subsection for each item referred to 
     in subparagraph (A) shall be in the same ratio that each 
     State was apportioned funds for such item or allocated funds 
     under sections 1103 through 1108 of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to the total of all 
     such funds apportioned and allocated to such State for such 
     items for fiscal year 1997.
       ``(C) Minimum allocation.--Not more than $319,500,000 of 
     the funds apportioned to States by this subsection for 
     minimum allocation shall not be subject to any obligation 
     limitation.
       ``(D) Special rule.--Amounts apportioned to a State by this 
     subsection for carrying out sections 1103 through 1108 of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 
     shall be available to such State for projects eligible for 
     assistance under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.

[[Page H8286]]

       ``(E) Administration.--Funds apportioned, and funds 
     allocated, under this subsection shall be administered as if 
     they had been apportioned or allocated, as the case may be, 
     under title 23, United States Code.
       ``(5) General operating expenses and other deductions.--
       ``(A) General operating expenses.--After making the 
     determinations and before apportioning funds under paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), the Secretary shall deduct the amount that would 
     be required to be deducted under section 104(a) of title 23, 
     United States Code, from the aggregate of amounts to be 
     apportioned to all States for programs to which the deduction 
     under such section would apply if such section applied to 
     such apportionment.
       ``(B) Territorial highways.--After making the 
     determinations and before apportioning funds under paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), the Secretary shall deduct the amount required 
     to be deducted pursuant to section 104(b)(1) of title 23, 
     United States Code, for the Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
     Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 
     from the aggregate amounts to be apportioned to all States 
     for the National Highway System under this subsection.
       ``(6) National recreational trails program.--Section 104(h) 
     of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting `and 
     $7,500,000 for the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 
     1998' after `1997'.
       ``(7) Woodrow wilson bridge.--Section 104(i)(1) of title 
     23, United States Code, is amended by inserting `and for the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998' after `1997'.
       ``(8) Off-system bridges.--Section 144(g)(3) of title 23, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting `and in the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998' after `1997' 
     ''.
       (b) Federal Lands Highways.--Section 1003(a)(6) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 1919) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``and $95,500,000 for 
     the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before 
     the period;
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1995,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``and $86,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the period;
       (3) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1995,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and $42,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the period.
       (c) Certain Allocated Programs.--
       (1) Highway use tax evasion.--Section 1040(f)(1) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat 1992-1993) is amended by inserting ``and $2,500,000 for 
     the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before 
     the period at the end of the first sentence.
       (2) Scenic byways program.--Section 1047(d) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 1998) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1994,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and $7,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the period at the 
     end of the first sentence.
       (3) Ferry boat construction.--Section 1064(c) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 2005) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1996,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and $9,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after ``1997''.
       (d) Fiscal Year 1998 Obligation Limitation.--
       (1) Amendments to istea.--Section 1002 of the Intermodal 
     Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 
     1916-1918) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
       (ii) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
       ``(7) $21,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Special Rule for Fiscal Year 1998.--The Secretary 
     shall distribute on October 1, 1997, 50 percent of the 
     limitation on obligations for Federal-aid highways and 
     highway safety construction programs imposed by the 
     Department of Transportation and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1998, and 50 percent of such limitation 
     on July 1, 1998.''.
       (2) Limitation.--Nothing in this section (including the 
     amendments made by this section) shall apply to any funds 
     made available before October 1, 1997, for carrying out 
     sections 125 and 157 of title 23, United States Code, and 
     sections 1103 through 1108 of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

     SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS.

       (a) NHSTA Highway Safety Programs.--Section 2005(1) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 2079) is amended by inserting ``and $83,000,000 for the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the 
     period at the end.
       (b) Alcohol-Impaired Driving Countermeasures.--Section 410 
     of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c) by striking ``5'' and inserting 
     ``6'';
       (2) in subsection (c)(3) by striking ``and fifth'' and 
     inserting ``fifth, and sixth'';
       (3) in subsection (d)(2)(B) by striking ``two'' and 
     inserting ``3''; and
       (4) in subsection (j) by inserting ``and $12,500,000 for 
     the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after 
     ``1997''.
       (c) National Driver Register.--Section 30308(a) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' following ``1994,''; and
       (2) by inserting ``, and $1,855,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after ``1996''.
       (d) Obligation Limitation.--The total of all obligations 
     for highway traffic safety grants under section 402 and 410 
     of title 23, United States Code, for fiscal year 1998 shall 
     not exceed $186,500,000.

     SEC. 4. FEDERAL TRANSIT PROGRAMS.

       (a) Extension.--Title III of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2087-2140) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 3049. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL TRANSIT PROGRAMS FOR THE 
                   PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 1997, THROUGH MARCH 31, 1998.

       ``(a) Allocating Amounts.--Section 5309(m) of title 49, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting `and for the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998' after `1997'.
       ``(b) Apportionment of Appropriations for Fixed Guideway 
     Modernization.--Section 5337(a) of title 49, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting `and for the period October 1, 
     1997, through March 31, 1998' after `1997'.
       ``(c) Authorizations.--Section 5338 of title 49, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       ``(1) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) the 
     following:
       `(F) $1,284,792,000 for the period October 1, 1997, through 
     March 31, 1998.';
       ``(2) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(2) the 
     following:
       `(F) $213,869,000 for the period October 1, 1997, through 
     March 31, 1998.';
       ``(3) by adding at the end of subsection (b)(1) the 
     following:
       `(F) $1,162,708,000 for the period October 1, 1997, through 
     March 31, 1998.';
       ``(4) in subsection (c) by inserting `and not more than 
     $1,500,000 for the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 
     1998' after `1997,';
       ``(5) in subsection (e) by inserting `and not more than 
     $3,000,000 is available from the Fund (except the Account) 
     for the Secretary for the period October 1, 1997, through 
     March 31, 1998' after `1997,';
       ``(6) in subsection (h)(3) by inserting `$3,000,000 is 
     available for section 5317 for the period October 1, 1997, 
     through March 31, 1998' after `1997';
       ``(7) in subsection (j)(5)--
       ``(A) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (B);
       ``(B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
     and inserting `; and'; and
       ``(C) by adding at the end the following:
       `(D) the lesser of $1,500,000 or an amount the Secretary 
     determines is necessary is available for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998.';
       ``(8) in subsection (k) by striking `or (e)' and inserting 
     `(e), or (m)'; and
       ``(9) by adding at the end the following:
       `(m) Section 5316 for the Period October 1, 1997, Through 
     March 31, 1998.--Not more than the following amounts may be 
     appropriated to the Secretary from the Fund (except the 
     Account) for the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 
     1998:
       `(1) $125,000 to carry out section 5316(a) of this title;
       `(2) $1,500,000 to carry out section 5316(b) of this title;
       `(3) $500,000 to carry out section 5316(c) of this title;
       `(4) $500,000 to carry out section 5316(d) of this title; 
     and
       `(5) $500,000 to carry out section 5316(e) of this title.' 
     ''.
       (b) Obligation Limitations.--
       (1) Discretionary grants and loans.--The total of all 
     obligations from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway 
     Trust Fund for carrying out section 5309 of title 49, United 
     States Code, relating to discretionary grants and loans, for 
     fiscal year 1998 shall not exceed $2,000,000,000.
       (2) Formula transit programs.--The total of all obligations 
     for formula transit programs under sections 5307, 5310(a)(2), 
     5311, and 5336 of title 49, United States Code, for fiscal 
     year 1998 shall not exceed $2,210,000,000.

     SEC. 5. MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY PROGRAM.

       (a) Extension.--Section 4002 of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2140-2144) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) Extension of Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program 
     for Period October 1, 1997, Through March 1, 1998.--Section 
     31104(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       `(6) not more than $45,000,000 for the period October 1, 
     1997, through March 31, 1998.' ''.
       (b) Obligation Limitation.--The total of all obligations 
     for carrying out the motor carrier safety program under 
     section 31102 title 49, United States Code, for fiscal year 
     1998 shall not exceed $85,325,000.

     SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

       (a) Bureau of Transportation Statistics.--Section 6006 of 
     the Intermodal Surface

[[Page H8287]]

     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2172-2174) 
     is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``Chapter 
     I''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1996,'';
       (B) by inserting ``, and $12,500,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after ``1997''.
       (b) Intelligent Transportation System.--Section 6058(b) of 
     the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 
     (105 Stat. 2194) is amended by inserting ``and $56,500,000 
     for the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' 
     after ``1997''.

     SEC. 7. FINAL ASSEMBLY OF BUSES.

       In applying the requirements of section 5323(j) of title 
     49, United States Code, to buses purchased using funds made 
     available by this Act, the Secretary shall require that the 
     final assembly of such buses be conducted in the United 
     States, including, at a minimum, the installation and 
     interconnection of the engine, transmission, and axles, 
     including the cooling and braking systems; the installation 
     and interconnection of the heating and air conditioning 
     equipment; the installation of pneumatic and electrical 
     systems, door systems, passenger seats, passenger grab rails, 
     destination signs, and wheelchari lifts; and road testing, 
     final inspection repairs, and preparation of the vehicles for 
     delivery.


     Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Shuster

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the reading of the 
amendment will be dispensed.
  There was no objection.
  The text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is as 
follows:

       Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. 
     Shuster:
       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

       This Act makes funds available for the Federal-aid highway, 
     highway safety, motor carrier safety, and mass transportation 
     programs for the first 6 months of fiscal year 1998 by 
     extending the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 
     Act of 1991 to ensure the continuation of such programs while 
     a multiyear reauthorization is developed. This extension is 
     structured to allow programmatic, apportionment formula, and 
     funding adjustments for the second 6 months of fiscal year 
     1998 through enactment of a multiyear program.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAM FUNDING.

       (a) In General.--Section 1003 of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 1918-1922) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Federal-Aid Highways for the Period October 1, 1997, 
     Through March 31, 1998.--
       ``(1) In general.--For Federal-aid highways and highway 
     safety construction programs, $11,942,375,000 are authorized 
     to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than 
     the Mass Transit Account) during the period October 1, 1997, 
     through March 31, 1998, and shall be distributed in 
     accordance with this subsection.
       ``(2) Certain discretionary programs.--Of the amounts made 
     available by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall deduct 
     $32,500,000 to carry out section 118(c)(2) of title 23, 
     United States Code, for the period October 1, 1997, through 
     March 31, 1998, and shall deduct $30,250,000 to carry out the 
     discretionary program under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 
     144(g) of such title during such period.
       ``(3) State allocation percentages.--From amounts remaining 
     after making the deductions under paragraph (2) and 
     application of paragraphs (4) and (5), the Secretary shall 
     determine the amount to be apportioned among the States in 
     accordance with the following table:

        ``State:                                            Percentage:
Alabama..........................................................2.0026
Alaska...........................................................1.0499
Arizona..........................................................1.4627
Arkansas.........................................................1.5268
California.......................................................8.9046
Colorado.........................................................1.0443
Connecticut......................................................1.9229
Delaware.........................................................0.4057
District of Columbia.............................................0.4436
Florida..........................................................4.4867
Georgia..........................................................3.2899
Hawaii...........................................................0.6435
Idaho............................................................0.6314
Illinois.........................................................3.6779
Indiana..........................................................2.4581
Iowa.............................................................1.1364
Kansas...........................................................1.1383
Kentucky.........................................................1.6617
Louisiana........................................................1.4831
Maine............................................................0.6458
Maryland.........................................................1.4512
Massachusetts....................................................3.5632
Michigan.........................................................3.0432
Minnesota........................................................1.4547
Mississippi......................................................1.1286
Missouri.........................................................2.2677
Montana..........................................................0.7857
Nebraska.........................................................0.7501
Nevada...........................................................0.6218
New Hampshire....................................................0.4764
New Jersey.......................................................2.6851
New Mexico.......................................................0.8767
New York.........................................................5.7882
North Carolina...................................................2.7408
North Dakota.....................................................0.5972
Ohio.............................................................3.4702
Oklahoma.........................................................1.5021
Oregon...........................................................1.1378
Pennsylvania.....................................................4.5007
Rhode Island.....................................................0.4708
South Carolina...................................................1.6019
South Dakota.....................................................0.5990
Tennessee........................................................2.0954
Texas............................................................6.9197
Utah.............................................................0.6672
Vermont..........................................................0.4287
Virginia.........................................................2.4440
Washington.......................................................1.7603
West Virginia....................................................1.1088
Wisconsin........................................................2.0159
Wyoming..........................................................0.5999
Puerto Rico.....................................................0.4312.

       ``(4) State programmatic distribution.--
       ``(A) In general.--Of the funds to be apportioned to each 
     State under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall ensure that 
     the State is apportioned an amount of such funds, determined 
     under subparagraph (B), for the Interstate maintenance 
     program, the National Highway System, the bridge program, the 
     surface transportation program, the congestion mitigation and 
     air quality improvement program, minimum allocation under 
     section 157 of title 23, United States Code, Interstate 
     reimbursement under section 160 of such title, the donor 
     State bonus under section 1013(c) of the Intermodal 
     Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, hold 
     harmless under section 1015(a) of such Act, 90 percent of 
     payments adjustments under section 1015(b) of such Act, 
     metropolitan planning under section 134 of such title, 
     section 1015(c) of such Act, an amount equal to the funds 
     provided under sections 1103 through 1108 of such Act, and 
     funding restoration under section 202 of the National 
     Highway System Designation Act of 1995.
       ``(B) Formula.--The amount which each State is to be 
     apportioned under this subsection for each item referred to 
     in subparagraph (A) shall be in the same ratio that each 
     State was apportioned funds for such item or allocated funds 
     under sections 1103 through 1108 of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to the total of all 
     such funds apportioned, and allocated under such sections, to 
     such State for such items for fiscal year 1997.
       ``(C) Minimum allocation.--Not more than $319,500,000 of 
     the funds apportioned to States by this subsection for 
     minimum allocation shall not be subject to any obligation 
     limitation.
       ``(D) Special rule.--Amounts apportioned to a State by this 
     subsection attributable to sections 1103 through 1108 of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 
     shall be available to such State for projects eligible for 
     assistance under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.
       ``(E) Administration.--Funds authorized by this subsection 
     shall be administered as if they had been apportioned, 
     allocated, deducted, or set aside, as the case may be, under 
     title 23, United States Code.
       ``(5) General operating expenses and other deductions.--
       ``(A) General operating expenses.--After making the 
     determinations and before apportioning funds under paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), the Secretary shall deduct the amount that would 
     be required to be deducted under section 104(a) of title 23, 
     United States Code, from the aggregate of amounts to be 
     apportioned to all States for programs to which the deduction 
     under such section would apply if such section applied to 
     such apportionment.
       ``(B) Territorial highways.--After making the 
     determinations and before apportioning funds under paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), the Secretary shall deduct the amount required 
     to be deducted pursuant to section 104(b)(1) of title 23, 
     United States Code, for the Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
     Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 
     from the aggregate amounts to be apportioned to all States 
     for the National Highway System under this subsection.
       ``(6) National recreational trails program.--Section 104(h) 
     of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting `and 
     $7,500,000 for the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 
     1998' after `1997'.
       ``(7) Woodrow wilson bridge.--Section 104(i)(1) of title 
     23, United States Code, is amended by inserting `and for the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998' after `1997'.
       ``(8) Off-system bridges.--Section 144(g)(3) of title 23, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting `and in the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998' after 
     `1997'.''.
       (b) Federal Lands Highways.--Section 1003(a)(6) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 1919) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``and $95,500,000 for 
     the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before 
     the period;
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1995,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``and $86,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the period; and
       (3) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1995,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and $42,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the period.
       (c) Certain Allocated Programs.--
       (1) Highway use tax evasion.--Section 1040(f)(1) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat 1992-1993) is amended by inserting ``and $2,500,000 for 
     the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before 
     the period at the end of the first sentence.
       (2) Scenic byways program.--Section 1047(d) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 1998) is amended--

[[Page H8288]]

       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1994,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and $7,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the period at the 
     end of the first sentence.
       (3) Ferry boat construction.--Section 1064(c) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 2005) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1996,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and $9,000,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after ``1997''.
       (d) Fiscal Year 1998 Obligation Limitation.--
       (1) Amendments to istea.--Section 1002 of the Intermodal 
     Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 
     1916-1918) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
       (ii) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
       ``(7) $21,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Special Rule for Fiscal Year 1998.--The Secretary 
     shall distribute on October 1, 1997, 50 percent of the 
     limitation on obligations for Federal-aid highways and 
     highway safety construction programs imposed by the 
     Department of Transportation and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1998, and 50 percent of such limitation 
     on July 1, 1998.''.
       (2) Limitation.--Nothing in this section (including the 
     amendments made by this section) shall apply to any funds 
     made available before October 1, 1997, for carrying out 
     sections 125 and 157 of title 23, United States Code, and 
     sections 1103 through 1108 of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

     SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS.

       (a) NHTSA Highway Safety Programs.--Section 2005(1) of the 
     Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 
     Stat. 2079) is amended by inserting ``and $83,000,000 for the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' before the 
     period at the end.
       (b) Alcohol-Impaired Driving Countermeasures.--Section 410 
     of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c) by striking ``5'' and inserting 
     ``6'';
       (2) in subsection (c)(3) by striking ``and fifth'' and 
     inserting ``fifth, and sixth'';
       (3) in subsection (d)(2)(B) by striking ``two'' and 
     inserting ``3''; and
       (4) in subsection (j)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1997,''; and
       (B) by inserting ``and $12,500,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after ``1997'' the second 
     place it appears.
       (c) National Driver Register.--Section 30308(a) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' following ``1994,''; and
       (2) by inserting ``, and $1,855,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after ``1996''.
       (d) Obligation Limitation.--The total of all obligations 
     for highway traffic safety grants under sections 402 and 410 
     of title 23, United States Code, for fiscal year 1998 shall 
     not exceed $186,500,000.

     SEC. 4. FEDERAL TRANSIT PROGRAMS.

       (a) Extension.--Title III of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2087-2140) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 3049. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL TRANSIT PROGRAMS FOR THE 
                   PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 1997, THROUGH MARCH 31, 1998.

       ``(a) Allocating Amounts.--Section 5309(m) of title 49, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting `and for the 
     period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998' after `1997'.
       ``(b) Apportionment of Appropriations for Fixed Guideway 
     Modernization.--Section 5337 of title 49, United States Code, 
     is amended--
       ``(1) in subsection (a) by inserting `and for the period 
     October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998' after `1997'; and
       ``(2) by adding at the end the following:
       `` `(e) Special Rule for October 1, 1997, Through March 31, 
     1998.--The Secretary shall determine the amount which each 
     urbanized area is to be apportioned for fixed guideway 
     modernization under this section on a pro rata basis to 
     reflect the partial fiscal year 1998 funding made available 
     by section 5338(b)(1)(F).'.
       ``(c) Authorizations.--Section 5338 of title 49, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       ``(1) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) the 
     following:
       `` `(F) $1,284,792,000 for the period October 1, 1997, 
     through March 31, 1998.';
       ``(2) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(2) the 
     following:
       `` `(F) $213,869,000 for the period October 1, 1997, 
     through March 31, 1998.';
       ``(3) by adding at the end of subsection (b)(1) the 
     following:
       `` `(F) $1,162,708,000 for the period October 1, 1997, 
     through March 31, 1998.';
       ``(4) in subsection (c) by inserting `and not more than 
     $1,500,000 for the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 
     1998' after `1997,';
       ``(5) in subsection (e) by inserting `and not more than 
     $3,000,000 is available from the Fund (except the Account) 
     for the Secretary for the period October 1, 1997, through 
     March 31, 1998' after `1997,';
       ``(6) in subsection (h)(3) by inserting `$3,000,000 is 
     available for section 5317 for the period October 1, 1997, 
     through March 31, 1998' after `1997';
       ``(7) in subsection (j)(5)--
       ``(A) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (B);
       ``(B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
     and inserting `; and'; and
       ``(C) by adding at the end the following:
       `` `(D) the lesser of $1,500,000 or an amount the Secretary 
     determines is necessary is available for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998.';
       ``(8) in subsection (k) by striking `or (e)' and inserting 
     `(e), or (m)'; and
       ``(9) by adding at the end the following:
       `` `(m) Section 5316 for the Period October 1, 1997, 
     Through March 31, 1998.--Not more than the following amounts 
     may be appropriated to the Secretary from the Fund (except 
     the Account) for the period October 1, 1997, through March 
     31, 1998:
       `` `(1) $125,000 to carry out section 5316(a) of this 
     title;
       `` `(2) $1,500,000 to carry out section 5316(b) of this 
     title;
       `` `(3) $500,000 to carry out section 5316(c) of this 
     title;
       `` `(4) $500,000 to carry out section 5316(d) of this 
     title; and
       `` `(5) $500,000 to carry out section 5316(e) of this 
     title.' ''.
       (b) Obligation Limitations.--
       (1) Discretionary grants and loans.--The total of all 
     obligations from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway 
     Trust Fund for carrying out section 5309 of title 49, United 
     States Code, relating to discretionary grants and loans, for 
     fiscal year 1998 shall not exceed $2,000,000,000.
       (2) Formula transit programs.--The total of all obligations 
     for formula transit programs under sections 5307, 5310, 5311, 
     and 5336 of title 49, United States Code, for fiscal year 
     1998 shall not exceed $2,210,000,000.

     SEC. 5. MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY PROGRAM.

       (a) Extension of Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program 
     for Period October 1, 1997, Through March 1, 1998.--Section 
     31104(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) not more than $45,000,000 for the period October 1, 
     1997, through March 31, 1998.''.
       (b) Obligation Limitation.--The total of all obligations 
     for carrying out the motor carrier safety program under 
     section 31102 title 49, United States Code, for fiscal year 
     1998 shall not exceed $85,325,000.

     SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

       (a) Bureau of Transportation Statistics.--Section 6006 of 
     the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 
     (105 Stat. 2172-2174) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``Chapter 
     I''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' following ``1996,'';
       (B) by inserting ``, and $12,500,000 for the period October 
     1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' after ``1997''.
       (b) Intelligent Transportation System.--Section 6058(b) of 
     the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 
     (105 Stat. 2194) is amended by inserting ``and $56,500,000 
     for the period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998'' 
     after ``1997''.

     SEC. 7. 1-YEAR EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY TRUST FUND EXPENDITURES.

       (a) General Expenditure Authority and Purposes.--Paragraph 
     (1) of section 9503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``October 1, 1997'' and inserting ``October 
     1, 1998'', and
       (2) by striking the last sentence and inserting the 
     following new flush sentence:

     ``In determining the authorizations under the Acts referred 
     to in the preceding subparagraphs, such Acts shall be applied 
     as in effect on the date of the enactment of this sentence.''
       (b) Transfers to Other Accounts.--
       (1) Paragraphs (4)(A)(i) and (5)(A) of section 9503(c), and 
     paragraph (3) of section 9503(e), of such Code are each 
     amended by striking ``October 1, 1997'' and inserting 
     ``October 1, 1998''.
       (2) Subparagraph (E) of section 9503(c)(6) of such Code is 
     amended by striking ``September 30, 1997'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 1998''.
       (c) Mass Transit Account.--Paragraph (3) of section 9503(e) 
     of such Code is amended--
       (1) by striking ``October 1, 1997'' and inserting ``October 
     1, 1998'', and
       (2) by striking all that follows ``the enactment of'' and 
     inserting ``the last sentence of subsection (c)(1).''
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 1997.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the basic request of 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do so 
for the purpose of simply stating that it is my understanding that the 
bill before us will extend the programs authorized under ISTEA for 6 
months, without substantive changes, at exactly one-half the amount 
provided in the budget resolution for fiscal year 1998 and under a 
distribution formula which is the exact same percentage that the States 
received in fiscal year 1997.

[[Page H8289]]

  Is that the understanding of the Chairman?
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Further reserving the right to object, I yield to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  (Mr. SHUSTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. SHUSTER. That is my understanding.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to express my appreciation to the 
gentleman from Texas, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, for 
his cooperation in allowing this bill to be brought up in an 
expeditious manner.
  H.R. 2516 is an extension of the current ISTEA programs for the 6-
month period October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998.
  I would first like to briefly explain how the bill works.


                        explanation of the bill

  The bill provides one-half of the funding allocation for surface 
transportation programs in the fiscal year 1998 budget resolution and 
authorizes those programs for 6 months of the fiscal year.
  The bill is intended to fully comply with the budget resolution.
  For the Highway Program, H.R. 2516 apportions these funds to the 
States according to the fiscal year 1997 final funding percentages in 
ISTEA.
  The bill then directs that the funds distributed to each State be 
divided between the existing ISTEA Program categories in the same 
proportion as 1997.
  Choosing the 1997 funding distribution while maintaining the fiscal 
year 1997 proportional ISTEA Program distribution is a balanced 
approach which will help ensure that States can continue to fund 
projects.
  For donor States that are concerned about extending the ISTEA 
formulas, fiscal year 1997 was the most favorable funding year in ISTEA 
for donor States because of the 90 percent of payments program.
  The bill also continues all allocated programs which are continued in 
BESTEA at 50 percent of their fiscal year 1997 funding levels.
  The transit, safety and motor carrier programs are similarly 
continued by extending fiscal year 1997 authorizations for 6 months at 
one-half the fiscal year 1997 amounts.


                     why we are offering this bill

  It is with great reluctance that we are acting on this 6-month 
extension.
  As I have outlined, extending ISTEA for any period of time is not the 
preferred course of action for the committee.
  Our strongly desired course was to bring up beset before the full 
House for quick action.
  However, this 6-month extension will provide States sufficient 
funding to carry out their highway construction programs for most of 
fiscal year 1998 so that we could obtain higher funding levels for 
BESTEA in the budget resolution next spring.
  This bill will provide significant relief to the States. H.R. 2516 
provides $12.4 billion in highway funding, of which $11.5 billion is 
distributed to the States. In addition, the States have nearly $10 
billion in unobligated balances of funds apportioned in earlier years. 
Together, the States will have approximately $21 billion in funds to 
obligated during fiscal year 1998.
  When the fiscal year 1998 transportation appropriations bill is 
signed into law, States will be able to obligate these new fiscal year 
1998 funds as well as unobligated balances. That bill should provide 
about $21 billion in obligation authority.
  We also anticipate quick action next spring on a multiyear 
reauthorization. When enacted, that bill will provide additional 
funding for fiscal year 1998 as well as beyond.
  We have chosen 6 months because this is the maximum amount of funds 
that could be distributed for a part of fiscal year 1998 and still 
implement a formula change when the multiyear bill is passed later in 
the year.
  If more funding was distributed, then some States would receive 
partial allocations that were larger than their full allocation for 
fiscal year 1998 in BESTEA.
  We are sympathetic to the concerns of Members, States, and industry 
about a 6-month extension. However, it is the only way to ensure that 
sufficient funding is received for the multiyear reauthorization bill 
that we all want to pass.
  We will continue to work with all parties to further refine this 
legislation, or if possible, enact a multiyear bill this fall.


               unanticipated change to mandatory baseline

  An unanticipated consequence of this 6-month bill has been a change 
to the 10-year baseline for minimum allocation.
  H.R. 2516 provides that $319 million of minimum allocation is exempt 
from the obligation limitation.
  This amount is one-half of the fiscal year 1998 allocation of the 
exempt baseline for minimum allocation be made exempt in this bill.
  However, providing this number in H.R. 2516 has had the result of 
freezing the baseline for minimum allocation at $640 million over the 
next 10 years.
  This occurs because the recent Budget Reconciliation Act changed the 
baseline rules for programs that expire to eliminate adjustments for 
inflation. This change was made without any discussion or consultation.
  As this situation proves, this was not a mere technical change.
  The minimum allocation program authorized in section 157 of title 23 
provides that such sums as necessary be expended for minimum 
allocation.
  As a result, CBO has estimated that minimum allocation would grow 
from $640 million in fiscal year 1998 to $800 million in 2007.
  This anomalous scoring effect would reduce minimum allocation by a 
total of $752 million over that period.
  I had wanted to alter H.R. 2516 to prevent this reduction in the 
minimum allocation baseline.
  I have spoken with the Budget Committee about this problem and they 
have assured me that the baseline for minimum allocation in the fiscal 
year 1999 budget resolution will restore this inadvertent cut.
  This issue is critically important for the Federal-Aid Highway 
Program. Minimum allocations is the program which ensures that States 
receive a fair share of funds from the highway trust fund. Any cut 
would be devastating to the so-called donor States.
  Madam Speaker, I insert in the Record an exchange of letters between 
the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer] and myself concerning this 
legislation.
  The letters referred to follow:
         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congress 
           of the United States, House of Representatives,
                               Washington, DC, September 26, 1997.
     Hon. Bill Archer,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Longworth House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Bill: Thank you for your letter of September 26, 1997 
     regarding H.R. 2516, a bill to extend the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 through March 31, 1998. 
     H.R. 2516 was marked-up by the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure on September 24, 1997 and reported to the 
     House on September 25, 1997. I intend to move this 
     legislation as expeditiously as possible to minimize any 
     disruption in the program while Congress crafts a multi-year 
     authorization bill next spring.
       As described in your letter, the Committee on Ways and 
     Means generally has limited expenditures from the Highway 
     Trust Fund to certain purposes and time periods through 
     provisions in the Trust Fund Code. Your Committee believes 
     that this six month extension will require conforming 
     amendments to the Trust Fund Code to permit continued 
     expenditures. Your letter included a draft of the legislative 
     language required to be added to H.R. 2516 which would extend 
     the general expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund 
     through September 30, 1998 and modify the eligible purposes 
     for expenditures. Your proposal also makes similar changes to 
     the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. With your concurrence, I 
     will add these provisions in an amendment to H.R. 2516 when 
     it is considered by the House.
       Finally, I concur that the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     raised valid jurisdictional claims regarding the matters 
     raised in your letter and appreciate your Committee's 
     expedited consideration of these issues. I will place a copy 
     of this exchange of letters in the Congressional Record 
     during consideration of the bill. I want to thank you for 
     your cooperation and assistance on this issue of high 
     priority to my Committee.
       With kindest personal regards, I remain
           Sincerely,
                                                      Bud Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                                                    ____

                                      Committee on Ways and Means,


                                U.S. House of Representatives,

                               Washington, DC, September 26, 1997.
     Hon. Bud Shuster,
     Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Bud: I understand that on Thursday, September 25, 
     1997, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     reported H.R. 2516, a bill to extend the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 through March 31, 1998.
       As you know, each trust fund in the Trust Fund Code 
     includes specific provisions within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Ways and Means which limit purposes for which 
     trust fund monies may be spent. Statutorily, the Committee on 
     Ways and Means generally has limited expenditures by cross-
     referencing provisions of authorizing legislation. Currently, 
     with respect to the Highway Trust Fund, the Trust Fund Code 
     provisions approve all expenditures out of the Highway Trust 
     Fund permitted under the highway authorization Acts of 1956, 
     1982, 1987, and 1991, but only as those Acts were in effect 
     on the date of enactment of the 1991 Act. Thus, an

[[Page H8290]]

     Act not referenced in the Trust Fund Code must be approved by 
     the Committee on Ways and Means before the authorizations are 
     funded. Similarly, expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund 
     into the Boat Safety Account and the Sport Fish Restoration 
     Account in the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund require 
     conforming Trust Fund Code language.
       I now understand that you are seeking to have the bill 
     considered by the House as early as next week. In addition, I 
     have been informed that your Committee will seek a Manager's 
     or Committee amendment to the bill which will include 
     language I am supplying (attached) to address the necessary 
     trust funds provisions. The amendment would extend through 
     September 30, 1998, the general expenditure authority and 
     purposes of the Highway Trust Fund contained in section 
     9503(c); extend, through September 30, 1998, authority to 
     make expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund to the Boat 
     Safety Account in the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund; and 
     extend through September 30, 1998, authority to make 
     expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund to the Sport Fish 
     Restoration Account in the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund 
     relating to small-engine fuels receipts.
       Based on this understanding, and in order to expedite 
     consideration of this legislation, it will not be necessary 
     for the Committee on Ways and Mean to mark up this 
     legislation. This is being done with the further 
     understanding that the Committee will be treated without 
     prejudice as to its jurisdictional prerogatives on such or 
     similar provisions in the future, and it should not be 
     considered as precedent for consideration of matters of 
     jurisdictional interest to the Committee on Ways and Means in 
     the future.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter, 
     confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2516, and 
     would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this 
     matter be placed in the Record during consideration of the 
     bill on the Floor. Thank you for your cooperation and 
     assistance on this matter.
           With best personal regards,
                                                      Bill Archer,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I must express grave concerns about this 
measure in light of reports in yesterday's press. Assurances were made 
to our chairman, Mr. Shuster, and our ranking member, Mr. Oberstar, 
regarding the passage of this 6-month extension of ISTEA. They worked 
tirelessly this year to put together a bill which met the Nation's 
transportation needs. They withdrew it in favor of this temporary 
alternative with assurances of an opportunity to address the 
irresponsibly low transportation funding levels in the budget 
agreement. It would appear that the leadership has already closed that 
door.
  I find your statements in yestersay's Congress Daily, Mr. Speaker, to 
be deeply troubling. You were quite generous, during recent visits to 
our State of Michigan, in pledging your support for more funding for 
our deteriorating road system. Since that time, you have personally 
intervened in stopping a bill which would have delivered a much needed 
increase to our State, and yesterday, you reneged on your promise to 
seek more transportation funding for the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Michigan sincerely want to believe your 
promises, and I can think of one individual in particular who is most 
interested in whether you will. Monday night our Governor, John Engler, 
experienced what literally thousands of Michiganites experience every 
week: his car blew a tire when it hit a pothole on Interstate 96. The 
next time the Governor calls you, I don't think there will be any doubt 
what he will be calling about.
  Mr. Speaker, yesterday you expressed concern for returning money to 
our citizens. If you want to return money to the people, Mr. Speaker, 
free the highway trust fund to fix our broken roads. The gas taxes were 
collected to fix roads, and it should be spent to fix roads, not to 
offset spending on other programs. Let's keep our word to the American 
people and use our transportation trust funds for transportation.
  I thank Mr. Shuster and Mr. Oberstar for their efforts.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for this 
shortterm extension of ISTEA. The bill serves many important purposes. 
It allows States to continue to operate and manage their programs 
without interruption in the new fiscal year. At the same time, it will 
allow us to fully consider and make our case for increased 
transportation investment during budget negotiations next year. We then 
will be able to move the multiyear reauthorization bill, H.R. 2400, 
that the committee has developed.
  It is important to note that funds going to the States in this 
extension are not based on ISTEA averages or some chart approved by 
conferees 6 years ago. It is based on the year 1997--the best year for 
donor States since that is the year that the equity program known as 90 
percent of payments came into play and provided donor States a more 
equitable return.
  I know there may be some States or contractors who want the safety 
and security of a long-term bill. Certainly we had hoped to provide 
them with that and a 6-month extension is not the preferable course of 
action. But, as my own State has told me, while we want a long-term 
bill, we do not want a long-term bill at any cost. There may be some 
uncertainty, but the potential payoff can be great.
  If we were to authorize 6 years of transportation spending under the 
budget agreement, the highway trust fund balance would soar to roughly 
$80 billion. It is totally unacceptable for this Congress to continue 
to collect taxes from American citizens at the gas pump and then not 
spend those revenues for urgently needed transportation improvements. 
Even under H.R. 2400, where we begin to more fully spend highway trust 
fund revenues, the balance will grow to about $50 billion before 
stabilizing. The committee will not move forward with legislation that 
does not set us on a course of living up to the promise of the highway 
trust fund made over 40 years ago that taxes imposed on the traveling 
public would be used only for preserving and upgrading our Nation's 
transportation system.
  We need the time provided in this extension to review changing 
economic conditions and spending and revenue projections in order to 
set a realistic, responsible level of funding for transportation for 
the future. H.R. 2516 allows the State programs to continue while we 
pursue our goal of a multiyear reauthorization bill and higher funding 
levels.
  I urge the House to approve H.R. 2516.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the amendment is agreed 
to.
  There was no objection.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

                          ____________________