[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E410-E411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2011

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the legislation 
before us, which will extend funding for our federal transportation 
programs through the end of this fiscal year in September.
  This will be the seventh short-term extension we have passed--
hopefully this will be the last. I commend Chairmen Mica and Duncan, 
and Ranking Members Rahall and DeFazio, for their work on crafting this 
measure, and look forward to working with each of them as the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee continues its work on a 
long-term surface transportation bill.
  Madam Speaker, this so-called ``clean extension'' of our nation's 
transportation programs is vitally important for the travelling public. 
Not only does it continue federal construction projects that we know 
create jobs--it also extends programs that keep our families safe on 
the road.
  This extension gives our states and communities certainty, at least 
until the end of this fiscal year, with regard to critical 
infrastructure projects. It will also provide a level of stability for 
those working to improve our roads and bridges and build new transit 
and commercial systems--and the families that are dependent on their 
income.
  While members of both sides of the aisle have spoken of the 
importance of infrastructure, to date, we have not been able to come up 
with a forward-looking transportation bill. We all should share a sense 
of urgency about getting this done. Meanwhile, without continuing the 
authority for the programs under this bill, more than $800 million in 
highway reimbursements and transit grants to states and urban areas 
would not be dispersed. This inaction would endanger more than 28,000 
jobs nationwide.
  And so, for the second time this week, we have averted catastrophe--
which begs the question, is this how we will continue on for the next 
two years?
  This is a legitimate question, one which was raised at the American 
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' annual 
meeting earlier today. These are the people who have to figure out how 
to complete long-term projects--and plan new ones--while we lurch 
forward in short increments. They live in a world where they have to 
think in months and years, not weeks or news cycles.
  In response to a question about getting a long-term bill done, all 
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood could say was: ``If we don't get 
something significant done this year I think it will be very 
difficult.'' I'd say that is an understatement.
  Certainly, the irresponsible, indiscriminate, and short-sighted 24 
percent cut to transportation funding contained in H.R. 1 did not 
inspire a great confidence. We need to do better.
  Every community has transportation needs for which federal help is 
vital. For example, in Hawaii, we are using federal funds to expand the 
capacity of our ports, and to build new rail transit for our citizens. 
These are projects that are putting people to work now, and will pay 
significant dividends for our economy for years to come. These projects 
will help to connect people with businesses, and businesses with 
workers. They will help to get cars off our streets, and expand the 
amount of commerce that can move in and out of our islands.
  Again, I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will now 
come together on a long-term transportation bill. This is our 
opportunity to show that we can do something that will be a game-
changer for our economy in the 21st century. Over the few months that 
this bill gives us, we can spend our time wisely debating how best to 
direct federal dollars to help our states and cities. I hope that this 
is a bipartisan effort, and look forward to working with my colleagues 
on the Committee to make this happen.

[[Page E411]]



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