[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 16 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               URGING CONSIDERATION OF ISTEA LEGISLATION

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
begin immediate consideration of the ISTEA reauthorization legislation. 
The current federal funding authorization for our nation's roads and 
bridges expires May 1st. If we allow this funding authority to expire, 
the ability of our state and local agencies to plan, design, implement, 
and manage transportation improvements and resources will be 
compromised.
  This lapse in new highway funding authority will jeopardize highway 
projects and safety programs across our country, and will have 
significant effects on Hawaii.
  Federal highway projects support approximately 5,816 jobs in Hawaii, 
and without a reauthorization of the ISTEA legislation, those 5,816 
people may lose their jobs. In addition to employment effects, an 
expiration of ISTEA spending authorization will place the safety of all 
Hawaii's citizens at risk. More than half, 51%, of Hawaii's bridges are 
structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Further, 28% of 
Hawaii's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, which increases 
the possibility of motor vehicle crashes.
  A failure to reauthorize this transportation spending authority will 
only increase the cost Hawaii's motorists currently pay due to poor 
road conditions. Each Hawaii motorist pays an additional $102 each year 
in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs caused by driving on roads 
in need of repair. Furthermore, 45% of Hawaii's urban freeways are 
congested, which costs Hawaii's motorists in wasted time and fuel.
  `The effects of our failure to reauthorize the ISTEA legislation will 
be felt not only in Hawaii, but also in every state in the nation by 
every citizen of our nation. Every single citizen benefits from our 
transportation infrastructure every day. Even if you do not drive you 
benefit from our transportation system through the products you consume 
that were transported via our roads and highways. The development of 
our transportation infrastructure helped fuel the development of our 
nation. We must not let it fall into disrepair.
  There may be concerns that the proposed ISTEA legislation is not the 
best way to meet our country's transportation needs. We must allow 
ourselves ample time to debate and consider all the issues surrounding 
ISTEA reauthorization, so that we may pass the most effective 
legislation. We must bring this legislation to the floor now.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LOTT. 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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