[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 154 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11867-S11868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Hollings):
  S. 1383. A bill to provide a 6-month extension of safety programs 
under ISTEA; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


                           istea legislation

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, it is clear that a multiyear 
reauthorization of ISTEA will not be possible during this session. Due 
to the expiration of ISTEA authorizations, I am very concerned that 
vital safety programs under the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation are at risk. Senator Hollings and 
I are introducing legislation that would provide funds to continue the 
operation of those important safety programs.
  According to the Department of Transportation [DOT], the highway 
safety grant programs do not have any unobligated balances available, 
from prior authorizations, to draw on if ISTEA is not extended to 
bridge the gap between now and when a long-term reauthorization bill is 
passed. The programs at risk include the State and

[[Page S11868]]

Community Safety Grant Program under section 402, the section 410 grant 
program to encourage counter measures to impaired driving, and the 
National Driver Register [NDR].
  The contract to run the National Driver Register is presently running 
on funds obligated in fiscal year 1997 but that contract and the 
funding expires in March. When that contract expires the program will 
have to be shut down and the staff dismissed.
  DOT indicates most States only have funding to operate safety 
programs for the next 2 or 3 months. I understand that some States have 
already started shutting down some of their highway safety programs.
  Funds are also needed to pay the salaries of the more than 3,000 
State motor carrier enforcement personnel. With the expiration of 
ISTEA, there is no Federal funding currently available to pay the 
salaries of these individuals whose expenses are exclusively financed 
through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program [MCSAP]. The 
Department of Transportation testified this week that the elimination 
of vital MCSAP funding could impede the ability of States to perform 
commercial vehicle and driver inspections. A short-term extension of 
MCSAP funding will help ensure that unsafe vehicles and drivers are 
prevented from traveling on our Nation's highways.
  I know that no one in this body wants to see a situation where 
highway safety is degraded in any way. I look forward to working with 
my colleagues to address these important issues of highway safety to 
ensure that we meet our obligations.
                                 ______