[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5253-S5254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SURFACE TRANSPORTATION

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to comment 
on the surface transportation act we are going to hopefully pass today 
and a particular provision that I was happy to work on with my 
colleagues Senators Inouye, Stevens, and Lott, regarding giving 
consumers better protection and accurate information about gasoline 
consumption. Americans today are facing a painful reality at the gas 
pump, so the least we can do is to make sure the mileage stickers on 
their cars match up with the reality of the road. That will help them 
and their families make better budget plans and make better choices 
when buying automobiles.
  It is simply that we need to have truth in labeling for stickers on 
automobiles. But today gas mileage stickers that appear on cars 
basically inflate the true vehicle fuel economy performance by anywhere 
from 10 to 30 percent.
  That is because the Federal Government laboratory tests, on which 
this outdated procedures rely, are false assumptions. For example, they 
assume people drive 48 miles per hour on the freeway, and they never 
use air conditioning. Obviously, a variety of other things that 
represent technology improvements have not been considered in this 
test. When a family is on a tight budget--and right now there are many 
Americans on a tight budget--getting accurate information about vehicle 
fuel efficiency is important.
  The provisions of this bill that are included in the surface 
transportation act would direct EPA to issue a proposed rulemaking no 
later than the end of this year and complete the process within 18 
months. What it would do is encourage the Government to take into 
account real-life conditions such as speed limits, acceleration rates, 
braking, variations of weather and temperature, vehicle load, and a 
variety of other fuel-consuming features.
  It is important that we pass this kind of legislation. I know the 
American Automobile Association supports this legislation, as do many 
other residents throughout the country who are consumers making gas-
conscious choices when they buy automobiles. We need to give them 
accurate information.
  I am glad the truth in labeling amendment we offered will be included 
as part of the package of the surface transportation act and hopefully 
pass today.
  I yield the floor.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Michigan is 
recognized.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Senate 
SAFETEA bill that is before us, the Transportation bill. I first want 
to thank my colleague from Washington State for her leadership on so 
many different issues, including provisions in the Transportation bill. 
I thank Senators Inhofe and Jeffords for drafting

[[Page S5254]]

a good bill for the country and a good bill for Michigan.
  I am pleased the Senate is passing this critical bill today. 
Unfortunately, this has been delayed for over 20 months and Congress 
has passed six TEA-21 extensions. It is my hope that we will not have 
to pass a seventh and this bill will be completed before the end of the 
month. We have already lost one spring construction season in Michigan, 
and we certainly don't want to lose another.
  During the budget debate, I worked with Senator Talent on a 
successful amendment to help the Senate produce a well-funded highway 
bill and keep all the funding options on the table. This amendment was 
included in the final budget resolution, and I am pleased to say it 
helped pave the way for the additional $11 billion that was added to 
the Senate bill.
  As my colleagues know, this bill isn't just about improving our 
roads, transit systems, and buses, but it is also about creating jobs. 
The Department of Transportation estimates that for every $1 billion of 
highway spending, we are creating 47,500 new jobs, and this generates 
more than $2 billion in economic activity.
  Mr. President, we need this bill. Michigan needs this bill. Over the 
last 4 years, Michigan has lost jobs. The SAFETEA bill will create 
good-paying jobs and help thousands of Michigan families make ends 
meet. So it is absolutely critical we pass this bill today.
  We are not talking about minimum-wage jobs, we are talking about 
well-paying jobs that help Michigan families pay their mortgages, save 
for retirement, and pay for their children's education. The SAFETEA 
bill will create over 59,000 jobs in Michigan alone.
  Mr. President, this delay has also cost Michigan additional highway 
funding that we desperately need. Our communities are growing, 
congestion is getting worse, and our roads are worn down through 
increased wear and tear, but we are still working under funding 
formulas that are over 7 years old.
  In fact, Detroit ranks ninth nationally for having the worst traffic 
congestion. That is even worse than the delays in Boston and 
Philadelphia.
  The Senate bill would provide Michigan with over $6.65 billion in 
highway funding and $600 million in transit investment to help address 
our congested roads and increase bus service throughout our State. This 
also is desperately needed.
  We cannot fix these problems without a well-funded highway bill. 
Unfortunately, the House TEA-LU doesn't provide the resources we need 
to address our aging roads and transit systems. This also would mean 
fewer jobs for Michigan and the country.
  I also add that the Senate bill continues to move us forward for 
Michigan to get its fair share. We are not there in terms of dollar for 
dollar, and I will continue to fight in every Transportation bill until 
we get there. But we need to move forward so Michigan gets a better 
share in this bill and a better opportunity to have the resources and 
jobs we need.
  As this bill goes to conference with the House, I urge my colleagues 
to stand behind the Senate bill. Once again, this Senate will be 
passing a bill that is better than what has been passed in the House. 
It is more fair. I am very hopeful we will stand together on a 
bipartisan basis and insist that the Senate version ultimately be the 
version that is passed.
  We also need for the bill to be fair and for it to meet the needs of 
our communities, and we need to make sure we are creating as many jobs 
as possible. It is time to invest in the best possible resources for 
our Nation's transportation needs. I am pleased that because of the 
bipartisan effort in the Senate we will be having a vote today on final 
passage of this desperately needed bill. Hopefully, we will see it 
going to the President in a form that is fair for Michigan, for all of 
our States, and that it is something that will address the future needs 
of our country.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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