[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Hollings):
  S. 2581. A bill to authorize appropriations for the motor vehicle 
safety and information programs of the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration for fiscal years 1999-2001; to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Authorization Act

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, my purpose today is to introduce 
legislation that would increase the authorization level of the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recently passed TEA-21 
legislation authorized NHTSA at its requested level, approximately 
$87.4 million. The Office of Management and Budget recently asked that 
NHTSA receive $99.9 million in the budget request.
  Although the Department of Transportation had requested $87.4 
million, we are now informed by Secretary Slater that this 
authorization level will not permit the funding of ``key safety 
initiatives.''
  I know that no one in this body wants a situation where highway 
safety is degraded in any way. I also know that there is no opportunity 
that this legislation can be passed yet this Congress. This is an issue 
that we will address in the next Congress. I look forward to working 
with my colleagues to address this important issue of highway safety in 
a manner that provides an appropriate funding level to meet safety 
needs while also meeting our budget obligations and the consensus of 
the Appropriations Committee.
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