[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 7 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S441-S442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT

  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I was very disappointed, many of my 
colleagues down here, a lot of us were disappointed that we were not 
able to get the ISTEA legislation passed last year. For me the ISTEA 
legislation is one of the most important things with which this 
Congress deals. It creates immediate jobs, employs people in my State, 
but much more importantly, it adds to the productive capacity out in 
the future. It contributes to our capacity to be competitive. It 
enables our families to do what they want to do when they take their 
leisure time.
  Our transportation system is enormously important, and it is one of 
the things we in America have to be proud of. It enables us to maintain 
our competitive edge and to be able to celebrate.
  I was encouraged earlier last year when the majority leader indicated 
that he was going to make this a priority and bring it up right away. I 
have great respect for Senator Domenici, the chairman of the Budget 
Committee, who is asking that this legislation be taken up after we get 
a budget resolution, but that means we will have to get another 6-month 
extension. That means there will be contract uncertainty out there in 
the country. That means we may not get this thing done until next year.

[[Page S442]]

  All of us know there are bitter divisions about formulas, bitter 
divisions about how we are going to allocate our money: should it go 
out to the West, to the Northeast? All of these battles that typically 
do not break down by party line but by geographic line, all of those 
battles will have to be waged here in the Senate Chamber when the bill 
is brought up. If you delay it, not only do we risk not getting a 6-
month extension, we risk not getting ISTEA passed until very late in 
the session, creating contract uncertainty, creating, it seems to me, 
problems none of us ought to be courting.
  So I hope that the distinguished chairman of the Budget Committee and 
the majority leader will bring this legislation up before this budget 
resolution, will schedule it for debate as quickly as possible.
  We need, on behalf of the American workers, on behalf of American 
businesses, to pass what arguably I think both Republicans and 
Democrats would say is apt to have the most immediate, positive impact 
in terms of our economy and in terms of jobs and productivity.
  I have a letter from one of Nebraska's significant engineering 
companies pointing out, quite correctly, that there is an urgency to 
this legislation. There are jobs hanging in the balance, there is 
productivity hanging in the balance, there is safety hanging in the 
balance. There are lot of things that need to be done that we are not 
going to be able to do if this piece of legislation is delayed.
  I voted yesterday to rename the National Airport in favor of Ronald 
Reagan. I am a Democrat. There were many of us who said, oh, my gosh, 
do we have to put a Republican name up on our airport? Ronald Reagan 
was one of the most important Presidents of this century. It was an 
important piece of legislation. But relative to ISTEA, it is not as 
important. When you size and scale these things in terms of the 
contribution they are going to make to keep our people safe, to give 
our kids a good education, to give Americans a shot at the American 
dream, ISTEA gives them that opportunity. ISTEA gives us jobs; it gives 
us a chance to maintain our competitive edge.
  I hope there is some reconsideration given. I hope that the advice 
that was offered earlier by the distinguished senior Senator from West 
Virginia, Mr. Byrd, that this legislation be brought up sooner rather 
than later will be taken by the majority leader.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. I ask unanimous consent to speak for 10 minutes as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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