[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION

 Mr. FAIRCLOTH. Mr. President, I would like to speak on 
reauthorization of the highway bill. I respectfully urge the Majority 
Leader to take up Senate Bill 1173--ISTEA--now. Let's not delay its 
consideration into the spring.
  The State's highway programs are already operating under a temporary 
funding extension. I believe that further delaying consideration of S. 
1173 will add more uncertainty to the States' highway construction.
  As I mentioned, before this body adjourned last November, we passed a 
temporary extension of the highway bill, after repeated attempts to 
begin debate on the bill failed.
  It now appears that floor consideration of S. 1173 may be delayed 
until after the Senate considers the Fiscal Year 1999 Budget 
Resolution.
  I am second to no Member in my commitment to a balanced federal 
budget. However, I believe that we must also follow through on our 
commitment to quality infrastructure, and these two objectives are by 
no means mutually exclusive.
  The current funding extension expires on March 31. That means that 
all federal highway funds will be cut off on May 1. Clearly, prompt 
action on ISTEA is critical to maintaining the flow of federal highway 
dollars.
  Unlike delays last fall, however, these spring delays for ISTEA will 
occur in the middle of construction season. This will compound the 
disruptive effects of this halt on highway projects--and the jobs they 
support--around the country.
  In the northern States, it is critical that construction funding 
flows at this time of year. The window for road construction work in 
many areas is limited by weather factors during the winter months.
  Many states, including my own, have highway construction projects 
underway that are designed to reduce traffic congestion. This 
congestion worsens air quality, causes ``road rage,'' increases wear 
and tear on vehicles, wastes fuel, and robs American businesses and 
families of valuable time.
  Cutting off crucial federal funds for these projects undermines State 
efforts to deal with their congestion problems.
  It is very unfortunate that highway fatalities continue to rise. By 
Federal Highway Administration estimates, poor road maintenance may 
contribute to as many as 30 percent of fatal accidents, resulting in 
thousands of deaths per year. Safety-related highway work faces 
stoppage if we delay consideration of ISTEA.
  In fact, in North Carolina, 300 million dollars in safety projects 
may be delayed if federal funds are not approved.
  I want to emphasize that these funds come from gas taxes collected 
every time Americans pull up to the pump. This ``user fee'' arrangement 
is supposed to ensure that these taxes pay for improving their 
highways.
  Mr. President, 31\1/2\ billion dollars in gas taxes are collected 
each year, of which about 20 billion dollars actually goes towards 
highways. Even as we delay consideration of S. 1173, Americans pay 
their gas taxes in the belief that much-needed highway improvements 
will be funded.
  Looking at the legislative calendar between now and May 1, when 
federal highway funds will dry up, there are 41 legislative days 
including Mondays and Fridays.
  Even after we debate and pass a bill in the Senate, we have a 
conference report to complete.
  Other issues are sure to be considered here, including potential 
military conflict with Iraq, IRS restructuring, campaign finance 
reform, and the budget resolution. That will take us well into April at 
best.
  If we do not act on S. 1173 now, a lapse in federal highway funding 
is a virtual certainty. The presence of other important matters on the 
calendar only increases the importance of bringing up the Highway bill.
  This is our obligation. It is our obligation to the millions of 
motorists who pay gas taxes, and the contractors, subcontractors and 
employees working on highway projects.

                          ____________________