[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 4 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S251-S252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             ISTEA FUNDING

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, we have had this afternoon several Members 
rise to talk about ISTEA funding. I rise to support the things that 
they have said. One of the most important bills that we passed in our 
committee last year, and I think one of the most important elements 
before us now in the Senate, is the funding of the Intermodal 
Transportation Act.
  We worked a great deal last year. I happen to be on the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works, and we came up with an extension of the 
ISTEA bill, which expired last year, by the way. Now, of course, we are 
operating on a temporary arrangement, which makes it very difficult for 
State highway departments to make the contracts that are necessary. I 
think it is particularly important for States like Wyoming and the 
northern part of the country, where you have a relatively small short 
contracting and construction time, that we move to pass this bill so 
that the States will know what money is available to them.
  There should have been approval last year, other than an extension. 
Unfortunately, we couldn't come to an agreement with the House. 
Furthermore, right here in the Senate, as I recall, there were some 
things that were brought up that kept us from considering ISTEA. But 
now it is time to do that.
  We also have before us a proposal to extend the authority for 
spending, to use more of the dollars that are collected, and I agree 
with that. I have not yet become a sponsor of it, but I, frankly, 
propose to be. We have been spending in the neighborhood of $21 billion 
a year on ISTEA, but Federal taxes have been raising more like $27 
billion. Now, of course, as a result of last year's budget, we 
converted the 4.3-cent tax, having gone to the general fund, to now go 
to the highway fund. I support that idea. So it is time for us to do 
that.
  I am concerned, of course, that we do it within budget guidelines. I 
am not interested in breaking the budget caps by simply spending. I 
know when you have a unified budget, if you are going to spend more 
money here, you have to make arrangements on the other side, too, which 
restricts spending. I am for that.
  I think it is necessary for us to do it. I am sorry that it has been 
postponed. It was my understanding that it would be the first item of 
business to be considered or early, at least, in this session. I know 
there is controversy now with the budgeteers in terms of how that 
works, but this is an authorization, as I understand it. It is not an 
expenditure, of course. It authorizes what will then be put together by 
the budgeteers and appropriators.
  Mr. President, I certainly want to endorse the notion that there is 
nothing more important or nothing that needs to be dealt with more 
currently than the idea of expanding ISTEA. I hope

[[Page S252]]

that the leader and others in the leadership will give some 
consideration to that. I think we can move forward. I know that there 
is not certainty in the House as to the direction they want to take, 
but I believe passage of the Senate proposal and shipment of it to the 
House would cause that to happen. If it is difficult, it is difficult. 
It is no more difficult now than it will be later. To the contrary, as 
we get toward the end of this session, it may be even more difficult to 
find time.
  I suggest, hope and urge that we bring it to the floor as soon as 
possible, and we resolve that issue so that we can move forward on this 
transportation question, which is probably one of the most important 
economic things we do in our States. These dollars go there, they are 
contracted, they go into business, and we provide a better 
transportation system.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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