[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 154 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11845-S11846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank the Members on the other side. We 
all know that, because of matters which we won't continue to debate 
here, our ISTEA or highway reauthorization measure has not gone 
forward. We will not be able to resolve the many difficult questions 
over funding allocations and funding formulas this year.
  Several days ago, I said that I was working with the EPW, the 
chairman, Chairman Chafee, Chairman Warner, Ranking Member Baucus, and 
the members of the committee to permit our highway departments in our 
States to continue obligating funds, continue transit and safety 
operations and DOT operations for the next 6 months.
  Mr. President, just a brief report. We are now working on a formula 
which would say to each State that, for the next 6 months, you may 
obligate up to half of what you had in the past fiscal year for 
contracts for the coming summer construction season. There will be no 
changes and no impact on the formula, but there will be complete 
flexibility. So if you have unpaid, unspent

[[Page S11846]]

obligations in one category, you can spend them wherever you need to. 
We are working with the House. I appreciate the cooperation of all 
Members, because I believe we all understand that we cannot leave 
highways and transportation without the ability to go forward in the 
summer construction season.
  I thank the leadership of the Senate. We are working with the House 
to have a proposal that I believe should be acceptable. It does not 
involve any funding allocation changes or reestablish any formulas, but 
it does permit the work to go forward. It is vitally important. I 
appreciate the time of this body. I invite any comments personally that 
Senators may have about this vitally important measure.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous agreement, the Senator from 
Nebraska is recognized.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I appreciate very much the bipartisan work 
to come up with a 6-month extension of the highway bill. It is terribly 
important for all of our States and terribly important that we have 
some certainty out there. I appreciate the fact that all of us have 
kept our voices down for the moment.

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