[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6106-H6119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1230
SURFACE AND AIR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS EXTENSION ACT OF 2011
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2887) to provide an extension of surface and air transportation
programs, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2887
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Surface
and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011''.
[[Page H6107]]
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--EXTENSION OF SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
Sec. 101. Short title.
Subtitle A--Federal-Aid Highways
Sec. 111. Extension of Federal-aid highway programs.
Sec. 112. Administrative expenses.
Subtitle B--Extension of Highway Safety Programs
Sec. 121. Extension of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
highway safety programs.
Sec. 122. Extension of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
programs.
Sec. 123. Additional programs.
Subtitle C--Public Transportation Programs
Sec. 131. Allocation of funds for planning programs.
Sec. 132. Special rule for urbanized area formula grants.
Sec. 133. Allocating amounts for capital investment grants.
Sec. 134. Apportionment of formula grants for other than urbanized
areas.
Sec. 135. Apportionment based on fixed guideway factors.
Sec. 136. Authorizations for public transportation.
Sec. 137. Amendments to SAFETEA-LU.
Subtitle D--Highway Trust Fund Extension
Sec. 141. Extension of trust fund expenditure authority.
Sec. 142. Extension of highway-related taxes.
TITLE II--EXTENSION OF AIR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Extension of taxes funding Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
Sec. 203. Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditure
authority.
Sec. 204. Extension of airport improvement program.
Sec. 205. Extension of expiring authorities.
Sec. 206. Federal Aviation Administration operations.
Sec. 207. Air navigation facilities and equipment.
Sec. 208. Research, engineering, and development.
Sec. 209. Essential Air Service.
TITLE I--EXTENSION OF SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Surface Transportation
Extension Act of 2011, Part II''.
Subtitle A--Federal-Aid Highways
SEC. 111. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in this title,
requirements, authorities, conditions, eligibilities,
limitations, and other provisions authorized under titles I,
V, and VI of SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59), the SAFETEA-LU
Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-244),
titles I and VI of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Act
of 1991 (Public Law 102-240), titles I and V of the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law
105-178), and title 23, United States Code (excluding chapter
4 of that title), which would otherwise expire on or cease to
apply after September 30, 2011, under section 411(a) of the
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 (title IV of
Public Law 111-147) are incorporated by reference and shall
continue in effect until March 31, 2012.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Except as provided in
section 112, there is authorized to be appropriated out of
the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account)
for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on
March 31, 2012, a sum equal to \1/2\ of the total amount
authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund
for programs, projects, and activities for fiscal year 2011
under titles I, V, and VI of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1144) and
title 23, United States Code (excluding chapter 4 of that
title).
(c) Use of Funds.--
(1) Fiscal year 2012.--Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this title, funds authorized to be appropriated
under subsection (b) for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, shall be distributed,
administered, limited, and made available for obligation in
the same manner and at the same level as \1/2\ of the total
amount of funds authorized to be appropriated out of the
Highway Trust Fund for fiscal year 2011 to carry out
programs, projects, activities, eligibilities, and
requirements under SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59), the
SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-
244), titles I and VI of the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-240), titles I and
V of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(Public Law 105-178), and title 23, United States Code
(excluding chapter 4 of that title).
(2) Calculation.--The amounts authorized to be appropriated
under subsection (b) shall be calculated taking into account
any rescission or cancellation of funds or contract authority
for fiscal year 2011 required by the Department of Defense
and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Public Law
112-10) or any other law.
(3) Contract authority.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
funds authorized to be appropriated under this section shall
be available for obligation and shall be administered in the
same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1
of title 23, United States Code, and for the period beginning
on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, shall be
subject to a limitation on obligations for Federal-aid
highways and highway safety construction programs included in
an Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2012 or a
portion of that fiscal year, except that during such period
obligations subject to such limitation shall not exceed \1/2\
of the limitation on obligations included in an Act making
appropriations for fiscal year 2012.
(B) Exceptions.--A limitation on obligations described in
subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any obligation under--
(i) section 125 of title 23, United States Code; or
(ii) section 105 of title 23, United States Code, for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012, only in an amount equal to $319,500,000.
(4) Calculations for distribution of obligation
limitation.--Upon enactment of an Act making appropriations
for the Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2012
(other than an Act or resolution making continuing
appropriations), the Secretary shall--
(A) as necessary for purposes of making the calculations
for the distribution of any obligation limitation under such
Act, annualize the amount of contract authority provided
under this title for the period beginning on October 1, 2011,
and ending on March 31, 2012, for Federal-aid highways and
highway safety construction programs; and
(B) multiply the resulting distribution of any obligation
limitation under such Act by \1/2\.
(d) Extension and Flexibility for Certain Allocated
Programs.--
(1) Fiscal year 2012.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012, the portion of the share of funds
of a State under subsection (b) determined by \1/2\ of the
amount that the State received or was authorized to receive
for fiscal year 2011 to carry out sections 1301, 1302, 1307,
1702, and 1934 of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1198, 1204, 1217,
1256, and 1485) and section 144(f)(1) of title 23, United
States Code, shall be--
(A) made available to the State for programs apportioned
under sections 104(b) and 144 of title 23, United States
Code, and in the same proportion for each such program that--
(i) the amount apportioned to the State for that program
for fiscal year 2011; bears to
(ii) the amount apportioned to the State for fiscal year
2011 for all programs apportioned under such sections of such
Code; and
(B) administered in the same manner and with the same
period of availability as such funding is administered under
programs identified in subparagraph (A), except that no funds
may be used to carry out the project described in section
1307(d)(1) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1217; 122 Stat. 1577).
(2) Territories and puerto rico.--
(A) Fiscal year 2012.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012, the portion of the share of funds
of a territory or Puerto Rico under subsection (b) determined
by \1/2\ of the amount that the territory or Puerto Rico
received or was authorized to receive for fiscal year 2011 to
carry out section 1934 of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1485), shall
be--
(i) for a territory, made available and administered in the
same manner as funding is made available and administered
under section 215 of title 23, United States Code; and
(ii) for Puerto Rico, made available and administered in
the same manner as funding is made available and administered
under section 165 of title 23, United States Code.
(B) Territory defined.--In this paragraph, the term
``territory'' means any of the following territories of the
United States: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the United States Virgin
Islands.
(3) Additional funds.--
(A) In general.--No additional funds shall be provided for
any project or activity under subsection (c), or paragraph
(1) of this subsection, that the Secretary of Transportation
determines was sufficiently funded before or during fiscal
year 2011 to achieve the authorized purpose of the project or
activity.
(B) Reservation and redistribution of funds.--Funds made
available in accordance with paragraph (1) of subsection (c)
or paragraph (1) of this subsection for a project or activity
described in subparagraph (A) shall be--
(i) reserved by the Secretary of Transportation; and
(ii) distributed to each State in accordance with paragraph
(1) of subsection (c), or paragraph (1) of this subsection,
as appropriate, for use in carrying out other highway
projects and activities extended by subsection (c) or this
subsection, in the proportion that--
(I) the total amount of funds made available for fiscal
year 2011 for projects and activities described in
subparagraph (A) in the State; bears to
(II) the total amount of funds made available for fiscal
year 2011 for those projects and activities in all States.
(e) Extension of Authorizations Under Title V of SAFETEA-
LU.--
[[Page H6108]]
(1) In general.--The programs authorized under paragraphs
(1) through (5) of section 5101(a) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat.
1779) shall be continued for the period beginning on October
1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, at \1/2\ of the
funding levels authorized for those programs for fiscal year
2011.
(2) Distribution of funds.--Funds for programs continued
under paragraph (1) shall be distributed to major program
areas under those programs in the same proportions as funds
were allocated for those program areas for fiscal year 2011,
except that designations for specific activities shall not be
required to be continued for the period beginning on October
1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.
(3) Additional funds.--
(A) In general.--No additional funds shall be provided for
any project or activity under this subsection that the
Secretary of Transportation determines was sufficiently
funded before or during fiscal year 2011 to achieve the
authorized purpose of the project or activity.
(B) Distribution.--Funds that would have been made
available under paragraph (1) for a project or activity but
for the prohibition under subparagraph (A) shall be
distributed in accordance with paragraph (2).
SEC. 112. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
(a) Authorization of Contract Authority.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of this title or any other law, there is
authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund
(other than the Mass Transit Account), from amounts provided
under section 111, for administrative expenses of the
Federal-aid highway program $196,427,625 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.
(b) Contract Authority.--Funds authorized to be
appropriated by this section shall be--
(1) available for obligation, and shall be administered, in
the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under
chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; and
(2) subject to a limitation on obligations for Federal-aid
highways and highway safety construction programs, except
that such funds shall remain available until expended.
Subtitle B--Extension of Highway Safety Programs
SEC. 121. EXTENSION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS.
(a) Chapter 4 Highway Safety Programs.--Section 2001(a)(1)
of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and
$235,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting
``$235,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $117,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012.''.
(b) Highway Safety Research and Development.--Section
2001(a)(2) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by
striking ``and $108,244,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and
inserting ``$108,244,000 for fiscal year 2011, and
$54,122,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012.''.
(c) Occupant Protection Incentive Grants.--
(1) Extension of program.--Section 405(a) of title 23,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3) by striking ``8'' and inserting ``9'';
(B) in paragraph (4)(C) by striking ``fifth through
eighth'' and inserting ``fifth through ninth''.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(3) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and
$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting
``$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $12,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012.''.
(d) Safety Belt Performance Grants.--Section 2001(a)(4) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and
$124,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting
``$124,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $24,250,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012.''.
(e) State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements.--
Section 2001(a)(5) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended
by striking ``and $34,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and
inserting ``$34,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $17,250,000
for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on
March 31, 2012.''.
(f) Alcohol-Impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive
Grant Program.--
(1) Extension of program.--Section 410 of title 23, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(3)(C) by striking ``in each of'' and
all that follows through ``fiscal years'' and inserting ``in
each of the fifth through eleventh fiscal years''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(2)(C) by striking ``fiscal years
2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011'' and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2012''.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(6) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and
$139,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting
``$139,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $69,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012.''.
(g) National Driver Register.--Section 2001(a)(7) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and
$4,116,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting ``$4,116,000
for fiscal year 2011, and $2,058,000 for the period beginning
on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
(h) High Visibility Enforcement Program.--
(1) Extension of program.--Section 2009(a) of SAFETEA-LU
(23 U.S.C. 402 note) is amended by striking ``2011'' and
inserting ``2012''.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(8) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and
$29,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting
``$29,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $14,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012.''.
(i) Motorcyclist Safety.--
(1) Extension of program.--Section 2010(d)(1)(B) of
SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 402 note) is amended by striking
``fourth, fifth, and sixth'' and inserting ``fourth, fifth,
sixth, and seventh''.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(9) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and
$7,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting ``$7,000,000
for fiscal year 2011, and $3,500,000 for the period beginning
on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
(j) Child Safety and Child Booster Seat Safety Incentive
Grants.--
(1) Extension of program.--Section 2011(c)(2) of SAFETEA-LU
(23 U.S.C. 405 note) is amended by striking ``fourth, fifth,
and sixth fiscal years'' and inserting ``fourth, fifth,
sixth, and seventh fiscal years''.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(10)
of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and
$7,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting ``$7,000,000
for fiscal year 2011, and $3,500,000 for the period beginning
on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
(k) Administrative Expenses.--Section 2001(a)(11) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and
$25,328,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting
``$25,328,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $12,664,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012.''.
(l) Applicability of Title 23.--Section 2001(c) of SAFETEA-
LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``2011'' and
inserting ``2012''.
(m) Drug-Impaired Driving Enforcement.--Section 2013(f) of
SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 403 note) is amended by striking
``2011'' and inserting ``2012''.
(n) Older Driver Safety; Law Enforcement Training.--Section
2017 of SAFETEA-LU is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1) (119 Stat. 1541), by striking
``2011'' and inserting ``2012'' ; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2) (23 U.S.C. 402 note), by striking
``2011'' and inserting ``2012''.
SEC. 122. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Motor Carrier Safety Grants.--Section 31104(a) of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraphs (5) and
(6);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) $106,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--Section 31104(i)(1) of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraphs (E) and
(F);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) $122,072,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
(c) Grant Programs.--Section 4101(c) of SAFETEA-LU (119
Stat. 1715) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``and $15,000,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012'' before the period at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``and $16,000,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012'' before the period at the end;
(3) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``and $2,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012'' before the period at the end;
(4) in paragraph (4) by inserting ``and $12,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012'' before the period at the end; and
(5) in paragraph (5) by inserting ``and $1,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012'' before the period at the end.
(d) High-Priority Activities.--Section 31104(k)(2) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2011'' and
inserting ``2011 and $7,500,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
(e) New Entrant Audits.--Section 31144(g)(5)(B) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``fiscal
year'' inserting ``fiscal year and up to $14,500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''.
(f) Outreach and Education.--Section 4127(e) of SAFETEA-LU
(119 Stat. 1741) is amended by striking ``2011'' and
inserting ``2011 (and $500,000 to the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration, and $1,500,000 to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012)''.
(g) Grant Program for Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators.--
Section 4134(c) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1744) is amended by
striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and $500,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''.
(h) Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.--Section
4144(d) of SAFETEA-LU
[[Page H6109]]
(119 Stat. 1748) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2011'' and inserting ``March 31, 2012''.
(i) Working Group for Development of Practices and
Procedures to Enhance Federal-State Relations.--Section
4213(d) of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 14710 note; 119 Stat. 1759)
is amended by striking ``September 30, 2011'' and inserting
``March 31, 2012''.
SEC. 123. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS.
(a) Hazardous Materials Research Projects.--Section 7131(c)
of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1910) is amended by striking
``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and $580,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''.
(b) Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act.--Section 4
of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C.
777c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``2011,'' and inserting
``2011 and for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
(2) in the first sentence of subsection (b)(1)(A) by
striking ``2011,'' inserting ``2011 and for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''.
Subtitle C--Public Transportation Programs
SEC. 131. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR PLANNING PROGRAMS.
Section 5305(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012''.
SEC. 132. SPECIAL RULE FOR URBANIZED AREA FORMULA GRANTS.
Section 5307(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting
``Special rule for fiscal years 2005 through 2011 and the
period beginning on october 1, 2011, and ending on march 31,
2012.--'';
(2) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``2011,'' and inserting
``2011 and the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
(3) in subparagraph (E)--
(A) by striking the subparagraph heading and inserting
``Maximum amounts in fiscal years 2008 through 2011 and the
period beginning on october 1, 2011, and ending on march 31,
2012.--''; and
(B) in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking ``2011''
and inserting ``2011 and during the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012''.
SEC. 133. ALLOCATING AMOUNTS FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS.
Section 5309(m) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting
``Fiscal years 2006 through 2011 and the period beginning on
october 1, 2011, and ending on march 31, 2012.--'';
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking
``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
(C) in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking ``2011'' and
inserting ``2011 and $100,000,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(2) in paragraph (6)--
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``2011'' and inserting
``2011 and $7,500,000 shall be available for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``2011'' and inserting
``2011 and $2,500,000 shall be available for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''; and
(3) in paragraph (7)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
(I) in the first sentence by striking ``2011'' and
inserting ``2011 and $5,000,000 shall be available for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''; and
(II) in the second sentence by striking ``each fiscal
year'';
(ii) in clause (i) by striking ``$2,500,000'' and inserting
``$2,500,000 for each fiscal year and $1,250,000 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,'';
(iii) in clause (ii) by striking ``$2,500,000'' and
inserting ``$2,500,000 for each fiscal year and $1,250,000
for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on
March 31, 2012,'';
(iv) in clause (iii) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and
inserting ``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for
the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March
31, 2012,'';
(v) in clause (iv) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and inserting
``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,'';
(vi) in clause (v) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and inserting
``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,'';
(vii) in clause (vi) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and
inserting ``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for
the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March
31, 2012,'';
(viii) in clause (vii) by striking ``$650,000'' and
inserting ``$650,000 for each fiscal year and $325,000 for
the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March
31, 2012,''; and
(ix) in clause (viii) by striking ``$350,000'' and
inserting ``$350,000 for each fiscal year and $175,000 for
the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March
31, 2012,'';
(B) in subparagraph (B) by adding at the end the following:
``(vii) $6,750,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.'';
(C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``fiscal year'' and
inserting ``fiscal year and during the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(D) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``fiscal year'' and
inserting ``fiscal year and not less than $17,500,000 shall
be available for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
(E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``fiscal year'' and
inserting ``fiscal year and $1,500,000 shall be available for
the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March
31, 2012,''.
SEC. 134. APPORTIONMENT OF FORMULA GRANTS FOR OTHER THAN
URBANIZED AREAS.
Section 5311(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(G) $7,500,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
SEC. 135. APPORTIONMENT BASED ON FIXED GUIDEWAY FACTORS.
Section 5337 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2012''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Special Rule for October 1, 2011, Through March 31,
2012.--The Secretary shall apportion amounts made available
for fixed guideway modernization under section 5309 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012, in accordance with subsection (a), except that the
Secretary shall apportion 50 percent of each dollar amount
specified in subsection (a).''.
SEC. 136. AUTHORIZATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
(a) Formula and Bus Grants.--Section 5338(b) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
(B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) $4,180,282,500 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking `` and $113,500,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$113,500,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $56,750,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and $4,160,365,000
for fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$4,160,365,000 for
fiscal year 2011, and $2,080,182,500 for the period beginning
on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``and $51,500,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$51,500,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $25,750,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(D) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``and $1,666,500,000
for fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$1,666,500,000 for
fiscal year 2011, and $833,250,000 for the period beginning
on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``and $984,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$984,000,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $492,000,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(F) in subparagraph (F) by striking ``and $133,500,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$133,500,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $66,750,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(G) in subparagraph (G) by striking ``and $465,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$465,000,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $232,500,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(H) in subparagraph (H) by striking ``and $164,500,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$164,500,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $82,250,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(I) in subparagraph (I) by striking ``and $92,500,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$92,500,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $46,250,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(J) in subparagraph (J) by striking ``and $26,900,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$26,900,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $13,450,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(K) in subparagraph (K) by striking ``and $3,500,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$3,500,000 for fiscal year
2011, and $1,750,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(L) in subparagraph (L) by striking ``and $25,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$25,000,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $12,500,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
(M) in subparagraph (M) by striking ``and $465,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$465,000,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $232,500,000 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
(N) in subparagraph (N) by striking ``and $8,800,000 for
fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$8,800,000 for fiscal year
2011, and $4,400,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
[[Page H6110]]
(b) Capital Investment Grants.--Section 5338(c) of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) $800,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
(c) Research and University Research Centers.--Section
5338(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``and $69,750,000 for fiscal year 2011'' and
inserting ``$69,750,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $29,500,000
for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on
March 31, 2012,'';
(2) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking ``2011'' each place it
appears and inserting ``2012''; and
(3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Additional authorizations.--
``(A) October 1, 2011, through march 31, 2012.--Of amounts
authorized to be appropriated for the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall allocate for each of the
activities and projects described in subparagraphs (A)
through (F) of paragraph (1) an amount equal to 50 percent of
85 percent of the amount allocated for fiscal year 2009 under
each such subparagraph.
``(B) University centers program.--
``(i) October 1, 2011, through march 31, 2012.--Of the
amounts allocated under subparagraph (A)(i) for the
university centers program under section 5506 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,
the Secretary shall allocate for each program described in
clauses (i) through (iii) and (v) through (viii) of paragraph
(2)(A) an amount equal to 50 percent of 85 percent of the
amount allocated for fiscal year 2009 under each such clause.
``(ii) Funding.--If the Secretary determines that a project
or activity described in paragraph (2) received sufficient
funds in fiscal year 2011, or a previous fiscal year, to
carry out the purpose for which the project or activity was
authorized, the Secretary may not allocate any amounts under
clause (i) for the project or activity for fiscal year 2012,
or any subsequent fiscal year.''.
(d) Administration.--Section 5338(e) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) $49,455,500 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
SEC. 137. AMENDMENTS TO SAFETEA-LU.
(a) Contracted Paratransit Pilot.--Section 3009(i)(1) of
SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1572) is amended by striking ``2011,''
and inserting ``2011 and the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
(b) Public-Private Partnership Pilot Program.--Section 3011
of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 5309 note; 119 Stat. 1588) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(5) by striking ``2011'' and inserting
``2011 and the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012''; and
(2) in the second sentence of subsection (d) by striking
``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period beginning on
October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
(c) Elderly Individuals and Individuals With Disabilities
Pilot Program.--Section 3012(b)(8) of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C.
5310 note; 119 Stat. 1593) is amended by striking ``September
30, 2011'' and inserting ``March 31, 2012''.
(d) Obligation Ceiling.--Section 3040 of SAFETEA-LU (119
Stat. 1639) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) $5,059,238,000 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, of which not more than
$4,180,282,500 shall be from the Mass Transit Account.''.
(e) Project Authorizations for New Fixed Guideway Capital
Projects.--Section 3043 of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1640) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''; and
(2) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period
beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31,
2012,''.
(f) Allocations for National Research and Technology
Programs.--Section 3046 of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 5338 note;
119 Stat. 1706) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b) by striking ``fiscal year'' and
inserting ``fiscal year or period''; and
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Additional Appropriations.--The Secretary shall
allocate amounts appropriated pursuant to section 5338(d) of
title 49, United States Code, for national research and
technology programs under sections 5312, 5314, and 5322 of
such title--
``(1) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, in amounts
equal to the amounts allocated for fiscal year 2009 under
each of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), and (8) through (25)
of subsection (a); and
``(2) for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on March 31, 2012, in amounts equal to 50 percent of
85 percent of the amounts allocated for fiscal year 2009
under each of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), and (8) through
(25) of subsection (a).''; and
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``fiscal year 2010, or a previous fiscal
year'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2011, or a previous fiscal
year''; and
(B) by striking ``fiscal year 2011, or any subsequent
fiscal year'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2012, or any
subsequent fiscal year''.
Subtitle D--Highway Trust Fund Extension
SEC. 141. EXTENSION OF TRUST FUND EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY.
(a) Highway Trust Fund.--Section 9503 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' in subsections
(b)(6)(B), (c)(1), and (e)(3) and inserting ``April 1,
2012'', and
(2) by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of
2011'' in subsections (c)(1) and (e)(3) and inserting
``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, Part II''.
(b) Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.--Section
9504 of such Code is amended--
(1) by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of
2011'' each place it appears in subsection (b)(2) and
inserting ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011,
Part II'', and
(2) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' in subsection (d)(2)
and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
(c) Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.--Paragraph
(2) of section 9508(e) of such Code is amended by striking
``October 1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on October 1, 2011.
SEC. 142. EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY-RELATED TAXES.
(a) In General.--
(1) Each of the following provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``September 30,
2011'' and inserting ``March 31, 2012'':
(A) Section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii)(I).
(B) Section 4041(m)(1)(B).
(C) Section 4081(d)(1).
(2) Each of the following provisions of such Code is
amended by striking ``October 1, 2011'' and inserting ``April
1, 2012'':
(A) Section 4041(m)(1)(A).
(B) Section 4051(c).
(C) Section 4071(d).
(D) Section 4081(d)(3).
(b) Extension of Tax, etc., on Use of Certain Heavy
Vehicles.--Each of the following provisions of such Code is
amended by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2012'':
(1) Section 4481(f).
(2) Subsections (c)(4) and (d) of section 4482.
(c) Floor Stocks Refunds.--Section 6412(a)(1) of such Code
is amended--
(1) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' each place it appears
and inserting ``April 1, 2012'',
(2) by striking ``March 31, 2012'' each place it appears
and inserting ``September 30, 2012'', and
(3) by striking ``January 1, 2012'' and inserting ``July 1,
2012''.
(d) Extension of Certain Exemptions.--Sections 4221(a) and
4483(i) of such Code are each amended by striking ``October
1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
(e) Extension of Transfers of Certain Taxes.--
(1) In general.--Section 9503 of such Code is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' each place it appears
in paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting ``April 1, 2012'',
(ii) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' in the heading of
paragraph (2) and inserting ``April 1, 2012'',
(iii) by striking ``September 30, 2011'' in paragraph (2)
and inserting ``March 31, 2012'', and
(iv) by striking ``July 1, 2012'' in paragraph (2) and
inserting ``January 1, 2013'', and
(B) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``July 1, 2012'' and
inserting ``January 1, 2013''.
(2) Motorboat and small-engine fuel tax transfers.--
(A) In general.--Paragraphs (3)(A)(i) and (4)(A) of section
9503(c) of such Code are each amended by striking ``October
1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
(B) Conforming amendments to land and water conservation
fund.--
(i) In general.--Section 201(b) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-11(b)) is
amended--
(I) by striking ``October 1, 2012'' each place it appears
and inserting ``April 1, 2013'', and
(II) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' and inserting ``April
1, 2012''.
(ii) Correction of cross references.--Section 201 of the
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-
11) is amended--
(I) by striking ``section 9503(c)(4)(B) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954 (relating to special motor fuels and
gasoline used in motorboats)'' in subsection (a) and
inserting ``section 9503(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to transfer to Land and Water
Conservation Fund)'', and
(II) by striking ``section 6412(a)(2)'' in subsection
(b)(2) and inserting ``section 6412''.
[[Page H6111]]
(f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on October 1, 2011.
TITLE II--EXTENSION OF AIR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Airport and Airway
Extension Act of 2011, Part V''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST
FUND.
(a) Fuel Taxes.--Subparagraph (B) of section 4081(d)(2) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking
``September 16, 2011'' and inserting ``January 31, 2012''.
(b) Ticket Taxes.--
(1) Persons.--Clause (ii) of section 4261(j)(1)(A) of such
Code is amended by striking ``September 16, 2011'' and
inserting ``January 31, 2012''.
(2) Property.--Clause (ii) of section 4271(d)(1)(A) of such
Code is amended by striking ``September 16, 2011'' and
inserting ``January 31, 2012''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on September 17, 2011.
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND
EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 9502(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``September 17, 2011'' and inserting
``February 1, 2012''; and
(2) by inserting ``or the Airport and Airway Extension Act
of 2011, Part V'' before the semicolon at the end of
subparagraph (A).
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 9502(e)
of such Code is amended by striking ``September 17, 2011''
and inserting ``February 1, 2012''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on September 17, 2011.
SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--Section 48103 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (7) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(B) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
``(8) $3,515,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(9) $1,181,270,492 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.
(2) Obligation of amounts.--Subject to limitations
specified in advance in appropriation Acts, sums made
available for a portion of fiscal year 2012 pursuant to the
amendment made by paragraph (1) may be obligated at any time
through September 30, 2012, and shall remain available until
expended.
(b) Project Grant Authority.--Section 47104(c) of such
title is amended by striking ``September 16, 2011,'' and
inserting ``January 31, 2012,''.
SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.
(a) Section 40117(l)(7) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 17, 2011.'' and inserting
``February 1, 2012.''.
(b) Section 41743(e)(2) of such title is amended by
striking ``and $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004
through 2011'' and inserting ``$35,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2004 through 2011, and $2,016,393 for the portion of
fiscal year 2012 ending before February 1, 2012,''.
(c) Section 44302(f)(1) of such title is amended--
(1) by striking ``September 16, 2011,'' and inserting
``January 31, 2012,''; and
(2) by striking ``December 31, 2011,'' and inserting
``April 30, 2012,''.
(d) Section 44303(b) of such title is amended by striking
``December 31, 2011,'' and inserting ``April 30, 2012,''.
(e) Section 47107(s)(3) of such title is amended by
striking ``September 17, 2011.'' and inserting ``February 1,
2012.''.
(f) Section 47115(j) of such title is amended by striking
``fiscal years 2004 through 2010, and for the portion of
fiscal year 2011 ending before September 17, 2011,'' and
inserting ``fiscal years 2004 through 2011, and for the
portion of fiscal year 2012 ending before February 1,
2012,''.
(g) Section 47141(f) of such title is amended by striking
``September 16, 2011.'' and inserting ``January 31, 2012.''.
(h) Section 49108 of such title is amended by striking
``September 16, 2011,'' and inserting ``January 31, 2012,''.
(i) Section 161 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation
Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 47109 note) is amended by
striking ``fiscal year 2009 or 2010, or in the portion of
fiscal year 2011 ending before September 17, 2011,'' and
inserting ``any of fiscal years 2009 through 2011, or in the
portion of fiscal year 2012 ending before February 1,
2012,''.
(j) Section 186(d) of such Act (117 Stat. 2518) is amended
by striking ``October 1, 2010, and for the portion of fiscal
year 2011 ending before September 17, 2011,'' and inserting
``October 1, 2011, and for the portion of fiscal year 2012
ending before February 1, 2012,''.
(k) Section 409(d) of such Act (49 U.S.C. 41731 note) is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2011.'' and inserting
``January 31, 2012.''.
SEC. 206. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS.
Section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (F) by striking ``2010.'' and inserting
``2010;''; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
``(G) $9,514,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(H) $3,197,315,080 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.
SEC. 207. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.
Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (5) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6) by striking ``2010.'' and inserting
``2010;''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) $2,731,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(8) $917,704,544 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.
SEC. 208. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (13) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (14) by striking ``2010.'' and inserting
``2010;''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(15) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(16) $57,016,885 for the period beginning on October 1,
2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.
SEC. 209. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.
Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``there is authorized to be appropriated
$77,000,000 for each fiscal year'' and inserting ``there is
authorized to be appropriated out of the Airport and Airway
Trust Fund (established under section 9502 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and
$50,309,016 for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and
ending on January 31, 2012,''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Mica) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 2887.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MICA. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, we are here today to extend once again authorization for
the Federal Aviation Administration and for our Nation's
transportation, highway, and transit programs.
Unfortunately, these are extensions that have been piled upon
extensions for both of these programs. And while the legislation before
us is important and it signifies a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to
move forward, it must not be just a temporary bandaid for our important
aviation, highway, rail, and safety programs, and for future job
creation for our Nation.
To build our Nation's infrastructure and to really put people to
work, we need long-term reauthorizations for these programs.
Unfortunately, this bill is the 22nd FAA extension and the eighth
surface transportation extension. Congress, unfortunately, has delayed
passing a long-term FAA reauthorization for over 4 years, and a surface
transportation bill has lagged for some 2 years. This action today
represents a last chance to roll up our sleeves and get transportation
projects moving forward in America again.
A couple of comments about this legislation.
H.R. 2887 is a clean 6-month extension for surface transportation
programs, and it's also a clean 4-month extension for aviation
programs. The extension's funding levels are consistent with the Full-
Year Continuing Appropriations Act, our CR passed by Congress in April
of this year.
For surface transportation, the bill authorizes $19.9 billion for
highway, $660 million for highway safety, and $5.1 billion for transit,
for a total of $25.6 billion. That's just for the 6-month period. While
I would like to do a 6-year bill, our intention with this action today
is to remain firmly committed to the commitment to do a 6-year
transportation bill.
This is a 6-month extension. Why 6 months? Because our States and our
other entities that depend on a reliable funding partner must have some
certainty. When we did the CR--which expires in just a few weeks here--
we were able to extend, on the seventh extension, our transportation
programs
[[Page H6112]]
until the end of this month. So we think this is being good stewards
and responsible, again, in extending for 6 months a period in which
there can be some stability in these important transportation projects,
and also to make certain that jobs and employment in this area move
forward.
In July, I released a transportation reauthorization proposal. This
was an outline. We've been working with our Democrat colleagues in a
bipartisan fashion since that time to actually craft language which is
acceptable to set forth the policy and the funding schedule, all of the
authorization that's so important to keep our Nation's infrastructure
projects moving forward. So this should give us enough time to complete
that process and get that legislation before us. With unemployment in
the construction industry at record-high levels, it's imperative that
we also provide this time.
Let me talk about FAA for a minute. This bill does authorize funds
through the end of January for FAA. This is a list of extensions of
FAA. I had the opportunity, as the chairman of the Aviation
Subcommittee, in 2003 to craft a 4-year FAA bill, which expired in
2007. So I helped write the last FAA 4-year authorization that expired
in 2007. Here are the extensions.
The Democrats controlled the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Here, if you start in when you had the Obama administration take over,
they also controlled the White House, the House, and the Senate. And we
get down to the 17th extension under Democrat control, and I have
agreed to three of them. I said enough is enough, and we must move
forward with a long-term authorization. I stand before you today and
say that, while the measures that we took in the last extension for FAA
were somewhat extraordinary, this situation demands attention and
action for long-term legislation by the United States Congress, and I'm
going to make certain that we do everything to see that people are
working in this industry and that we meet our responsibility for
setting the policy for one of the most important industries in the
United States, our aviation industry.
So this is the history of what has taken place. This is the 22nd
extension, and I can guarantee it will be the last extension because we
must and we will pass a 4-year authorization. While there are some
issues that remain to be resolved, we will continue working in a
bipartisan manner. We passed legislation from the House. I look forward
to working with Senator Rockefeller and others, Kay Bailey Hutchison,
the ranking Republican in the Senate, Mr. Costello and Mr. Rahall, to
get this legislation done.
I urge my colleagues to support these two extensions rolled into one,
H.R. 2887.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Ways and Means,
Washington, DC, September 13, 2011.
Hon. John Mica,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Mica: I am writing concerning H.R. 2887, the
``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of
2011,'' which is scheduled for floor consideration today.
As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has
jurisdiction over the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (IRC). Sections 141 and 142 of this bill amend the
IRC by extending the current Highway Trust Fund expenditure
authority and the associated Federal excise taxes to March
31, 2012. Section 141 also amends the IRC by extending the
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund excise tax to
March 31, 2012. Similarly, Sections 202 and 203 of this bill
amend the IRC by extending the current Airport and Airway
Trust Fund expenditure authority and the associated Federal
excise taxes to January 31, 2012. In order to expedite H.R.
2887 for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action
on the bill. This is being done with the understanding that
it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect
to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional
prerogatives on this or similar legislation.
I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 2887, and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in the Congressional Record during Floor
consideration.
Sincerely,
Dave Camp,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, September 13, 2011.
Hon. Dave Camp,
Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Longworth House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R.
2887, the ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension
Act of 2011.'' The Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure recognizes the Committee on Ways and Means has
a jurisdictional interest in H.R. 2887, and I appreciate your
effort to facilitate consideration of this bill.
I concur with you that forgoing action on H.R. 2887 does
not in any way prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with
respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or
similar legislation in the future, and I would support your
effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this
legislation.
I, or my designee, will include our letters on H.R. 2887 in
the Congressional Record during House Floor consideration of
the bill. Again, I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation, and I look forward to working with the Committee
on Ways and Means as the bill moves through the legislative
process.
Sincerely,
John L. Mica,
Chairman.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation
Programs Extension Act of 2011. In this regard, I do commend the Senate
and House leadership for arriving at an agreement late Friday afternoon
on an extension of our Nation's surface transportation programs through
March 31, 2012, and the programs under the FAA through January 31,
2012, at the current funding levels and without any adverse policy
riders.
I commend our chairman, Mr. Mica; the subcommittee chair, Mr. Duncan,
on Surface; the Air Subcommittee chair, Mr. Petri; and our ranking
subcommittee members, Mr. Costello on Aviation and Mr. DeFazio on
Surface.
Extending these programs is critical to our economic recovery. And
the pending measure does so without any of the poison pills of the past
or draconian cuts to investment in our surface transportation programs.
Failure to extend the surface transportation programs could shut down
more than 134,000 active highway and bridge projects and over 5,000
active transit projects, jeopardizing the jobs of more than 1 million
private-sector American jobs over the next year.
The funding levels in the pending measure are far more preferable
than what we are seeing proposed by Republicans on the Appropriations
Committee. Just last week, they rolled out a fiscal year 2012
Transportation appropriations bill which proposes to slash highway and
transit investment, destroying more than 600,000 good paying, private-
sector American jobs, jobs that would be lost in every State of the
Union.
I cannot support these dangerous and draconian cuts to investments in
America's future. To keep pace with India, China, and our other
international competitors, we need to invest more, not less in
America's future. If we stop investing in the future, there is simply
no way we can retire the debt of the past.
It is my hope that with this 6-month extension of highway, highway
safety, and transit programs, we can come together and work to develop
a long-term, robust Surface Transportation authorization bill that
keeps the Nation economically competitive, meets the demands of the
21st century, and creates millions of family-wage American jobs.
{time} 1240
The pending measure also provides for a clear extension in the
Nation's aviation programs under the FAA. Our aviation system is
slightly more than a month into its recovery from the shock, the shock
of a Republican-led FAA shutdown for 2 weeks in July and August; and
I'm pleased that my Republican friends have chosen not to force another
shutdown. I trust they recognize the damage that was caused to our
Nation's aviation system and the financial hardship placed on working-
class families across the country when they chose to force a policy
rider into an otherwise clean extension in July and caused a senseless
2-week shutdown of major parts of the FAA.
[[Page H6113]]
Pending the enactment of a long-term bill, and I join our chairman in
our desire to see such passed, this short-term extension is the
responsible path forward. It will avert more damage to the aviation
system and the economy.
With that said, what we should be doing is completing the conference
committee on the long-term FAA reauthorization bill. Three months ago,
House and Senate negotiators informally narrowed down the list of
differences between the two Chambers to just a few. The Senate
appointed conferees over 5 months ago, yet the House has not followed
suit. So let us finish a long-term reauthorization and show the
American people that Congress puts planes and passengers before
politics.
I urge support of the pending measure, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. MICA. I yield myself 1 minute.
Again, I enjoy working with the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, and just
wanted to comment on his discussion of the FAA shutdown.
Just for the record, the facts are that the House of Representatives,
in a bipartisan vote, passed an FAA extension on July 20, 3 days prior
to the deadline, July 22, 2011.
Fact: the FAA extension contained reductions in thousand-dollar-plus
airline pork subsidies affecting only three airports. The language that
we adopted from the Senate affected 10 airports within 90 miles.
The Senate Democrats, after 2 weeks of forcing a partial FAA
shutdown, meekly went to the Senate floor and, in 71 seconds, passed
the House extension that was available.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. MICA. I yield myself 15 additional seconds.
The fact is that only pork ticket subsidies were excluded.
The fact is that the Democrats controlled the United States House and
Senate for 4 years, letting FAA authorization expire in 2007, forcing
17 extensions, and even with the Presidency from 2009 until the
beginning of this year were unable to pass FAA legislation.
I yield 3 minutes to the chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri).
Mr. PETRI. I thank my chairman.
I rise in support of the bill before us, H.R. 2887, the Surface and
Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.
House and Senate negotiators have worked for the last 5 months to
resolve the issues between the House and the Senate on the long-term
FAA reauthorization bills. We're seeking this extension to allow time
for us to complete negotiations on the final multi-year bill. We need
to get a long-term FAA bill done so that the agency and airports can
more efficiently plan and carry out programs and projects.
The bill before us, H.R. 2887, is a clean 4-month extension of the
Federal Aviation Administration's taxes and programmatic authorities.
The extension will provide resources for the safe operation of the
National Airspace System and for the continued certification services
of the Federal Aviation Administration.
The bill also authorizes funding for the Airport Improvement Program
which, together with the surface transportation programs extended in
the bill, authorizes critical funding for important infrastructure
construction projects that will help preserve and create much-needed
jobs.
I also want to express my support for the extension of our surface
transportation programs. We must continue to fund critical highway,
bridge and other projects across our country in order to have the
transportation network necessary for economic growth and our global
competitiveness. The extension we have proposed is a sensible way
forward, and I join Chairman Mica in urging my colleagues to support
this legislation.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to our distinguished
subcommittee ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Costello).
Mr. COSTELLO. I thank the ranking member for yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation before us today.
The legislation is a clean extension of the FAA bill and also takes the
authorization through the extension through January 31 of 2012.
In February of this year, the Senate passed a bipartisan
comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill by a vote of 87-8. By contrast,
in April the House approved an extension that was very controversial,
and it was a bill that was passed on a party-line vote. In fact, the
House-passed bill passed by the narrowest vote margin for a House FAA
authorization bill in almost 30 years.
I said at the time that the poison pill provision that was put in the
bill by the majority would prevent the bill from passing both the House
and the Senate and being signed into law by the President. And, in
fact, the White House said that they would veto the legislation with
the poison pill provision. So we knew at that point that the
reauthorization bill was not going anywhere with that provision in the
bill.
It's been 5 months since the other body invited the House leadership
to appoint conferees and sit down at the table with Senate conferees
to, in fact, try and work out an agreement between the House and the
Senate. In July of this year, instead of passing a clean FAA extension,
the Republican leadership put a poison pill provision in that extension
that led to a shutdown of the FAA for almost 2 weeks, costing the FAA
more than $400 million in lost revenue in that 2-week period. I'm
pleased that the House leadership stepped in, brought a clean extension
to the floor today.
The American people are tired of all the games. They're tired of all
the one side blaming the other side. They want reasonable people to
come together, in this body and in the Senate, to act reasonably and do
the right thing.
The Senate has appointed their conferees. We should appoint--the
Republican leadership in the House should appoint conferees in this
body immediately so that we, in fact, can get a long-term authorization
bill. Let's stop the games. Let's appoint conferees so that we can pass
a comprehensive reauthorization bill now.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air
Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.'' This bill contains a
``clean'' extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's)
authority to spend from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to carry
out airport improvement projects at current funding levels through
January 31, 2012.
In February, the Senate approved a bipartisan comprehensive FAA
reauthorization bill by a wide 87-to-8-vote margin. By contrast, in
April the House approved an extremely controversial FAA reauthorization
bill by a party-line vote. The House bill, in fact, garnered the
narrowest vote margin for a House FAA reauthorization bill in almost 30
years, and the White House has threatened to veto it.
Since the House FAA reauthorization bill was introduced, I, and
several House Republicans, have warned that it contains a number of
controversial ``poison pill'' provisions that seriously jeopardize the
enactment of a long-term bill this year. It is now clear that we were
absolutely right.
It has been five months since the Senate invited House Republicans to
join them at the bargaining table, appoint conferees, and complete work
on a long-term FAA reauthorization. Yet Republican gamesmanship and
insistence on poison pill provisions have so far led to an FAA shutdown
and a complete failure to enact long-term, job-creating legislation.
In July, the House Republicans attached an objectionable policy rider
on rural air service cuts to the short-term FAA extension. The policy
rider was included as a ``tool'' to pressure Senate Democrats into
giving into Republicans'' assault on collective-bargaining rights in a
long-term reauthorization bill.
My Republican colleagues' strategy backfired, however, and resulted
in a shutdown of the FAA for two weeks. In those two weeks, the
shutdown cost the Nation almost $400 million in lost revenue--more than
20 times the amount of money that, according to House Republicans,
their policy rider would have saved over the course of an entire year.
Tens of thousands of American jobs were jeopardized. The Nation cannot
afford the cost and burden of a repeat performance, so I will support
this clean four-month FAA extension.
However, I am very concerned about the events leading up to the
introduction of this extension. Immediately following last month's
disastrous FAA shutdown, House Republicans issued a defiant press
release threatening to use new ``tools'' to coerce Senate Democrats.
Yet, there have been no discussions or negotiations with the Senate
since the shutdown, and House Republicans still refuse to appoint
conferees to complete a long- term bill.
Late last week, Chairman Mica was quoted by reporters stating there
would be a ``new
[[Page H6114]]
twist'' in the FAA extension. Then on Friday, the press reported that
House Republicans would introduce another ``go it alone'' FAA extension
bill with across-the-board-cuts to FAA programs. But on Friday night,
House Republicans backed off their plan and made public a new clean
highway and FAA extension.
Mr. Speaker, House Republicans just don't get it. The American public
is sick and tired of grandstanding and games. Nobody wants to see any
more new twists in reauthorizing the FAA. The House Republicans have
failed to enact a long-term FAA reauthorization bill this year, they
have refused to appoint conferees and move the process forward, and
they have nobody to blame but themselves for their failure.
While I support this four-month extension, I now believe that
Congress should consider a long-term one year extension of FAA
programs. I have said before, and I will say again, that serial
extensions are creating uncertainty in the construction industry and
costing us jobs. And now Republican political gamesmanship is creating
new instability that is hurting the economy.
For the meantime, with these reservations, I support this extension
in the interest of keeping hard-working Americans at work and
preventing another shutdown.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air
Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.''
Mr. MICA. I yield myself 1 minute.
Again, I think it's important that we pass this bipartisan extension.
We wouldn't be here passing a combination of the transportation,
highway, transit and FAA extensions if we hadn't taken action that was
extraordinary. There was more than sufficient time for the Senate to
act.
Again, and I will submit this as part of the Record, the Democrats
had complete control of the House and Senate in extraordinary
majorities and never passed a bill, never appointed conferees. We have
only had this responsibility since the beginning of this year, and we
will pass a long-term bill and take whatever action is necessary to do
that.
Today we are moving the process forward, and I applaud leadership on
both sides of the aisle, bipartisan, bicameral.
FAA EXTENSIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democrat or Republican Signed into
No. House Congress Time period Duration Passed House Passed Senate law
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-92)..... 10/1/2007-11/16/2007. 2.5 months........... 9/26/2007 9/27/2007 9/29/2007
2 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-116).... 11/17/2007-12/14/2007 1 month.............. 11/8/2007 11/8/2007 11/13/2007
3 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-137).... 12/15/2007-12/21/2007 1 week............... 12/13/2007 12/13/2007 12/14/2007
4 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-149).... 12/22/2007-12/26/2007 1 week............... 12/19/2007 12/19/2007 12/21/2007
5 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-161).... 12/26/2007-2/29/2008. 2 months............. 6/22/2007 9/6/2007 12/26/2007
6 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-190).... 3/1/2008-6/30/2008... 4 months............. 2/12/2008 2/13/2008 2/28/2008
7 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-253).... 7/1/2008-9/30/2008... 3 months............. 6/24/2008 6/26/2008 6/30/2008
8 Democrat.............. 110th (PL 110-330).... 10/1/2008-3/31/2009.. 6 months............. 9/22/2008 9/23/2008 9/30/2008
9 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-12)..... 4/1/2009-9/30/2009... 6 months............. 3/18/2009 3/18/2009 3/30/2009
10 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-69)..... 10/1/2009-12/31/2009. 3 months............. 9/23/2009 9/24/2009 10/1/2009
11 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-116).... 1/1/2010-3/31/2010... 3 months............. 12/8/2009 12/10/2009 12/16/2009
12 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-153).... 4/1/2010-4/30/2010... 1 month.............. 3/25/2010 3/26/2010 3/31/2010
13 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-161).... 5/1/2010-7/3/2010.... 2 months............. 4/28/2010 4/28/2010 4/30/2010
14 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-197).... 7/4/2010-8/1/2010.... 1 month.............. 6/29/2010 6/30/2010 7/2/2010
15 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-216).... 8/2/2010-9/30/2010... 2 months............. 7/29/2010 7/30/2010 8/1/2010
16 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-249).... 10/1/2010-12/31/2010. 3 months............. 9/23/2010 9/24/2010 9/30/2010
17 Democrat.............. 111th (PL 111-329).... 1/1/2011-3/31/2011... 3 months............. 12/2/2010 12/18/2010 12/22/2010
18 Republican............ 112th (PL 112-7)...... 4/1/2011-5/31/2011... 2 months............. 3/29/2011 3/29/2011 3/31/2011
19 Republican............ 112th (PL 112-16)..... 6/1/2011-6/30/2011... 1 month.............. 5/23/2011 5/24/2011 5/31/2011
20 Republican............ 112th (PL 112-21)..... 7/1/2011-7/22/2011... 3 weeks.............. 6/24/2011 6/27/2011 6/29/2011
21 Republican............ 112th (PL 112-27)..... 7/23/2011-9/16/2011.. 2 months............. 7/20/2011 8/5/2011 8/5/2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to now yield 4 minutes to the ranking member of our
Surface Transportation Subcommittee, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Duncan).
Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. I thank Chairman Mica for yielding me this
time and for his and Ranking Member Rahall's outstanding work on this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2887 extends the surface transportation programs
for another 6 months, from October 1 through March 31 of 2012, and the
aviation programs for another 4 months, from October 1 through January
31 of 2012, at funding levels consistent with the full-year continuing
resolution passed last April.
{time} 1250
This extension is considered clean and no policy provisions were
added. During this 6-month Surface Transportation extension, Congress
will work hard to pass the committee's 6-year Surface Transportation
reauthorization bill. The outline of the committee's proposal was
unveiled in June and makes much-needed reforms to our highway transit
and highway safety programs.
The committee's proposal will streamline the project delivery
process, consolidate existing programs, and better leverage existing
revenues in the highway trust fund. According to the Federal Highway
Administration, the project delivery process can take up to 15 years
from planning through construction. This is government at its worst.
Limited financial resources for transportation and infrastructure can
be more effectively utilized by accelerating the process for project
approval. While project reviews are necessary to help protect the
environment, a more reasonable process is essential to maximizing our
taxpayer dollars.
Additionally, the bill consolidates existing programs that are
duplicative and do not serve a Federal interest. Consolidation in our
6-year bill will help States allocate their Federal resources to
projects and activities that are the most needed. These programatic
reforms will devolve the decisionmaking authority to State and local
authorities, giving the State and local people more control over these
important projects.
If Congress moves this landmark piece of legislation before the
spring, as we all hope, it will be considered the signature jobs bill
that Americans have been waiting for this Congress to pass. It will
create millions of jobs for hardworking Americans right here in the
United States--not in China or India or other countries--and will leave
a lasting legacy of tangible improvements to our transportation
infrastructure in this country. By passing a long-term reauthorization
bill, Americans will be able to see their tax dollars going towards
rebuilding and strengthening our Nation's highways, bridges, and
transit systems.
Mr. Speaker, I also had the privilege to chair the Aviation
Subcommittee for 6 years. A strong and efficient aviation system is
vital to our economy, and I am pleased that we are also extending our
air transportation programs in this bill. I hope we will soon pass our
traditional multiyear FAA bill, too.
I urge my colleagues to pass this piece of legislation and work
towards passing a long-term reauthorization bill for both our surface
transportation programs and our air transportation programs.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
ranking member of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee, the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).
Mr. DeFAZIO. The best way to put America back to work is to invest in
the underpinnings of our economy: roads, bridges, highways, transit,
rail, our ports, our airports. These things serve the private sector
and make us more productive and more competitive in the world economy.
Unfortunately, at the current levels of investment, we're not even
keeping up with our mid-20th century surface transportation system.
Just think before the interstate highways what a disconnected country
this was. And guess what? We're headed back there.
[[Page H6115]]
We are not investing enough to maintain the Eisenhower legacy of the
National Highway System. We have 150,000 bridges that need replacement
or repair; 40 percent of the pavement needs not just resurfacing but
underlayment, a $70 billion backlog on our aged transit systems. And
that's just to give us an updated and state of good repair, 20th
century transportation infrastructure. We need a 21st century
transportation infrastructure, which is going to require more
investment.
And for the life of me, I don't get it on that side of the aisle.
You've got this guy over there, the Republican Leader Cantor. He says,
well, we might take the tax cuts with Obama. Those return almost 80
cents on every dollar borrowed. But, oh, that other stuff, spending
money, that's like stimulus. Building bridges, repairing highways,
repairing and building transit systems, having a new 21st century
system for our planes to navigate more efficiently in the sky with
fewer delays and less fuel consumed, that is bad according to Eric
Cantor. But no, the tax cuts, oh, yeah, we're for tax cuts. We'll give
the people their money back and then they'll take care of those
problems. We'll pass the hat to rebuild the bridges and the transit
systems. We'll pass the hat to have a new aviation system for
navigation.
Come on. Are we a great Nation or not? Are we going to give up? Are
we just going to keep pretending, give the money back to the job
creators. I haven't seen the job creators build a national highway
system lately.
Now, the private sector does all of these projects. You'll say, well,
the government can't make jobs. You're right. This is taxpayer-invested
money designated by the government to needed investment done by lowest
competitive bid by competent private contractors.
Millions of jobs are on the table, and not just in construction.
You're talking about construction equipment. You're talking about
sophisticated avionics. You're talking about transit vehicles that have
electronics and motor drives and everything that all come from
manufacturing. And we have the strongest buy America provisions of any
part of the Federal Government for transportation investment.
So we're not going to hemorrhage this money to China like the tax
cuts will for cheap junk bought from China. No. This will create jobs
here at home. The American people get it. We get it on our side of the
aisle. It's time for the leadership on the Republican side of the aisle
to get it, too.
Mr. MICA. I yield myself 30 seconds.
Again, just to deal with facts and reality, I think Mr. Cantor,
myself, and others on the Republican side support transportation,
building the country's infrastructure and jobs. But we have to look at
what took place.
Of a $787 billion stimulus bill, only $63 billion, 7 percent, went
for infrastructure. Now, the proposal this week is up to 12 percent of
$450 billion. Eighty-one percent of the stimulus transportation
projects were temporary, created temporary jobs for repaving sidewalks
and short-term projects, and less than one-half of 1 percent of the
stimulus money went for new construction.
I am pleased to yield at this time, if I may, 2 minutes to the chair
of the Rail Subcommittee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Shuster).
Mr. SHUSTER. Where was the outrage when they passed the stimulus
bill, as the chairman pointed out, that only 60-some billion dollars
went to the highways and infrastructure of this country? That's when
the outrage should have been put forth.
Where was the outrage on that side? There were more than just one of
you over there. You should have stood up and you should have said right
then and right there, as I did to the former chairman, I said, This is
going to mess up a long-range highway bill. They're going to take that
money and they're going to squander it.
We could have done half of a stimulus bill, put most of the money
into the infrastructure of this country, and we wouldn't be sitting
here today hearing this outrage on the House floor.
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will remind the Members that
remarks in debate must be addressed to the Chair and not to other
Members in the second person.
Mr. SHUSTER. Let's move forward with a bill that's within our means.
Once again, I want to remind my friends on the other side, you had
both bodies and the White House for 2 years. Where was the bill? There
was no bill. Where were the jobs? There are no jobs.
I just would remind my colleagues we are borrowing 40 cents on every
dollar this government spends. We've got to live within our means. And
I'm willing to suggest that the bill that the chairman and our side is
crafting is going to streamline this. We do have less money. There's no
doubt about it. I'd like to see more money. We've got to find different
revenue sources. But taxing the American people in economic downtime is
not the right time to do it.
We can take that $230 billion or $240 billion going into the trust
fund and by streamlining and by taking all of these other programs that
don't do anything to rebuild our roads and increase our capacity, take
them off the table and let's focus on what we need to do, and that's
build roads and bridges in this country.
So, again, I remind my colleagues, let's direct the outrage where
it's due, and that's in a failed stimulus bill.
Again, I do rise today to support H.R. 2887, the surface and air
transportation program. It's a clean extension for 3 months and 6
months. I think it's extremely important that this moves forward so
that we don't stop the important bridge and road jobs and, of course,
the safety programs and commerce that moves safely through the air. I
think that's extremely important.
So again, I intended to stand up and speak more about these two
bills, but again, when I hear this outrage, I want to make sure that
there is outrage on our side about what's happened in this Congress
over the last 4 years.
{time} 1300
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished
ranking member on our Economic Development Subcommittee, the gentlelady
from the District of Columbia, Eleanor Holmes Norton.
Ms. NORTON. I thank the ranking member for yielding. I thank the
chairman for coming forward with this bill.
Enough of the outrage on both sides--if I may remind us all that
that's precisely what the American people told us during recess they
didn't want to hear.
I do want to correct one error that the prior gentleman just made:
That there were no jobs in the American Recovery Act. There were 3
million jobs created or saved by the American Recovery Act; and if
there had been more funds in that Act, we wouldn't be here today with
the American Jobs Act trying to get more money to avoid a double-dip
recession. This bill is not what the American people deserve, and I
apologize to them that we have had to lower our standards, but it does
save us from another jobs catastrophe like the one we experienced in
July.
It saves a million transportation jobs. Imagine furloughing that many
people if this bill, the Surface Transportation bill, were to run out
on the 31st of this month. Both FAA and transportation authorizations
are very short term, but both are clean. Both are about yesterday's
business--about yesterday's airports because there is not enough money
to bring us into the 21st century, and they're about yesterday's
surface transportation infrastructure.
Yet it's hard to think of bills that would be on this floor during
this time that would be carrying such a burden to get so much done at
one time. At this moment, this bill is carrying the jobs burden all by
itself--a million jobs in surface transportation with at least 100,000
jobs at the airports. It's allowing the modernization of air
transportation infrastructure to continue, which is what we lost when
there was a 2-week furlough, and it's keeping our infrastructure from
further deteriorating.
It's not what we deserve. You don't always get what you deserve, and
we've got to fight to make sure the American people get just that.
Mr. MICA. I would like to yield 1\3/4\ minutes to one of our vice
chairs, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hanna).
Mr. HANNA. I thank the chairman for yielding.
[[Page H6116]]
I am pleased to speak in favor of this bipartisan, bicameral deal to
extend the two important transportation programs at current funding
levels.
The 4-month extension of FAA programs will allow us enough time to
iron out the final details of a long-term reauthorization. As a pilot
myself, I know firsthand the benefits and efficiencies this will bring
to our airports and airways as well as to our out-of-date air traffic
control system. I am particularly pleased to be extending the highway
and transit program for 6 months in order to ensure we have adequate
time to pass the chairman and the committee's long-term plan.
New York and the country need long-term certainty and a steady stream
of funding. We have spent too much time focusing on so-called ``shovel
ready'' projects with little or no lasting economic or employment
benefits.
I look forward to working over the next 6 months to pass a long-term
reauthorization that will empower States to take on major projects,
including bridge replacements, highway interchange improvements, and
investments in our Nation's transit systems, as well as those in
upstate New York. These are the types of projects that have the
potential to provide jobs for years to come and to grow our economy in
the long term.
Mr. RAHALL. May I have a time check, please, Mr. Speaker.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from West Virginia has 9
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Florida has 1\1/4\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. RAHALL. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr.
Blumenauer).
Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy.
I listened to my friend from Pennsylvania, who is concerned about the
Recovery Act. A number of us voted against it because it was too
heavily weighted for tax cuts in an attempt to get Republicans to
participate, but all of them voted ``no'' anyway. If you would have
worked with us, we could have increased the amount of money devoted to
infrastructure, but it's this same myopia that we see when Republicans
refuse to accept broad bipartisan support for FAA in the Senate. What
was it? It passed 89-7 or something like that, and yet we in the House
can't work with them to increase the investment for aviation.
It's sad. All you have to do is talk to the contractors in your
district to find out that the Recovery Act kept them afloat. Contractor
after contractor knows that it made a difference, but it's time for us
to stop dancing around. We ought to approve the approach in a
bipartisan way with the Senate, and we ought to step up and invest more
in surface transportation, not less.
We will find that there is broad agreement with the business
community, the U.S. Chamber, organized labor, environmental groups,
local government. This is the way that we will put more Americans to
work. You seem to acknowledge it, but you're not working with us in the
spirit of Chairman Bud Shuster and Chairman Don Young, who were willing
to stand up and be counted in the need for more resources. We are
facing a 34 percent reduction with the bill that the Republicans are
dealing with now in the appropriations process, and you're not going to
be able to get a decent 6-year authorization when you're slashing
investments where America is falling behind.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. RAHALL. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. I think we ought to take this very good, clean
extension, use the 6 months to be able to build on a foundation of the
original ISTEA, right-size it, accept the recommendations of broad
bipartisan commissions that we need to be spending more, deal with the
deficit reduction the way that it happened with Ronald Reagan and with
Bill Clinton that includes more infrastructure investment, and agree
with the Senate FAA approach. We'll be able to put millions of
Americans to work and stop the partisan bickering that we don't need to
do. It's not partisan in the Senate. It doesn't have to be partisan
here.
Mr. MICA. I yield myself 15 seconds.
Just to set the record straight, I went to the Democrat side, the
other side of the aisle, when we proposed the stimulus legislation. I
asked to double the amount for infrastructure. I think I got 14 or more
votes from the other side of the aisle, but I had the motion to
recommit. I offered it and it was not accepted.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished
gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Hank Johnson.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I thank the ranking member for yielding.
I rise in strong support of this bill, which will keep people working
in building our infrastructure. Failure to pass this bill would put
politics first and would mean unnecessary economic pain for millions of
Americans. We've seen in the past that stop signs and guardrails have
been put out, that traffic jams have been started, and now we want to
blame the drivers of the car for the traffic jam that the other side
commenced. It doesn't make any sense.
Let's go ahead and pass this bill today. I commend my brother on the
other side of the aisle for putting it forward--a clean bill. In
Georgia, the highway bill provides more than $97 million a month for
infrastructure jobs, employing more than 22,500 Georgians. I urge my
colleagues to support this bill so we can move past this stalemate and
pass a long-term bill.
Mr. MICA. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from New
York (Mrs. Maloney).
Mrs. MALONEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the
ranking member and chairman for their leadership on this important
bill, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act.
This act includes a clean 6-month extension of our Nation's critical
highway and transit programs. The funding provided in this extension to
State Departments of Transportation and local transit agencies will
keep Americans working and our economy moving while Congress acts to
reauthorize these critically important programs. This extension is
necessary to our Nation's economic health and to getting Americans back
to work.
I applaud the bipartisan work of our Chamber's leadership in bringing
this to the floor. However, I believe that, once the extension is
passed, we should focus on bringing true high-speed rail to the
Northeast Corridor.
{time} 1310
As a representative of the citizens of the great city of New York, I
understand the significant economic and transportation value of having
a high-speed rail option that would serve the Northeast mega-region.
Such an initiative would not only create high-paying construction jobs
in the near term, but would spur economic development and growth
throughout the region in the long term.
The Northeast region contains 20 percent of the Nation's population
and just 2 percent of the land area. This density is evidenced by the
fact that 70 percent of all chronically delayed flights originate in
the New York-area airspace while 60 percent of the Northeast region's
road miles are considered heavily congested.
At a time when highway and air modes are nearing capacity levels and
jobs are at a premium, high-speed rail for the Northeast corridor must
be a serious consideration of this Congress. It would help our economic
development and move our country forward in the 21st century, competing
in the global markets.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. I yield the balance of my time to the ranking member of
our Subcommittee on Railroads, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
Brown).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman is recognized for 3\1/2\
minutes.
Ms. BROWN of Florida. First of all, I want to thank Chairman Mica and
Ranking Member Rahall for bringing this clean FAA reauthorization
extension bill to the floor.
Our Nation needs and deserves a well-funded multimodal transportation
system. Business leaders, construction companies, labor groups, and
rider advocates all agree that transportation infrastructure is
critical to putting people back to work and improving our crumbling
transportation system.
Transportation and infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to
the
[[Page H6117]]
Nation, and, if properly funded, serves as a tremendous economic boost
and job creator. The fact is that the Department of Transportation's
statistics show that for every billion dollars invested in
transportation, we generate 44,000 jobs and $6.2 billion in economic
activity.
Indeed, our Nation's long-term prosperity requires that we invest in
our infrastructure. For example, China is currently spending 9 percent
of their GDP on infrastructure, about $300 billion, while we are
spending less than 2 percent.
Clearly this lack of investment has led to a crumbling
infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers in the 2009
Report Card for America's Infrastructure, gave the United States a
grade of D.
It's time for this Congress and our committee to get serious about
putting people back to work. There is no better way to do this than
funding transportation at a level that is truly improving our system.
We can no longer afford the status quo if we want to compete
internationally with countries who understand the importance of
infrastructure.
Let's pass this bill now. Let's finish a long-term FAA and surface
reauthorization bill. As the Governor of Florida says, let's get to
work, let's put people to work.
In an article that was in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday, Hank
Fishkind said, ``This is the recovery, and it's going to take time,''
but he points out the importance of the infrastructure and putting
people to work.
Once again, I want to thank Mr. Mica, Mr. Rahall, the committee, and
the staff. Let's get to work and let's put the American people back to
work.
[From the Orlando Sentinel, Sept. 11, 2011]
Talking With . . . Hank Fishkind: This Is the Recovery--and It's Going
to Take Time, Economist Says
(By Jim Stratton)
Hank Fishkind is a prominent Central Florida economist and
former adviser to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. He talked recently
with Sentinel reporter Jim Stratton.
CFB: How bad has Central Florida's economy been in the last
two years, and what's surprised you the most?
These are the worst economic conditions since the 1974-75
oil embargo. Not only has tourism turned down, but we had a
boom and bust of unprecedented proportions in the real estate
market. The thing that shocked me the most was the panic in
the financial markets at the depths of the recession. We
almost had a collapse of the banking system.
CFB: Do you believe we've moved into a recovery?
This is the recovery. It's not like we're going to get more
recovery. This is it. From a national perspective, following
the bursting of asset bubbles, national economies recover
slowly. That's what history teaches us. We've had a
tremendous asset bubble burst in the real estate market. It
takes time to heal from that.
CFB: What policies would you suggest?
We need for the president to propose, and Congress to be
accepting of, two major initiatives. We need, in the short
run, to provide some stimulus, and we need in the longer run
to restructure the entitlement programs and our tax system.
If we choose to restrict spending significantly over next six
to 12 months, we'll convert this slowdown into zero growth or
a recession. We need to have some stimulative spending.
Cutting now would be a dreadful error.
CFB: How much of the slow growth is function of people's
fears and how much is a function of lingering structural
problems?
There are still some substantial structural imbalances that
hold back growth. Certainly that's true in the housing
markets. In addition, the uncertainly over the debt ceiling,
the debilitating debate, the downgrade of U.S. debt, the
volatility in financial markets . . . All those things
combined, legitimately make business and individual decision
making more conservative.
CFB: Are tax increases needed to balance the budget?
There has to be tax increases as part of the program. We
can't just simply hope and plan to cut costs sufficiently to
make that happen. The costs cuts would be so dramatic as to
compromise economic growth so much in the short run, that the
long run might not matter.
CFB: How do you think Gov. Rick Scott has done from an
economic policy standpoint?
I like the vision. I think that's important. I would like
to see that vision built upon with more real action and less
rhetoric. For example, the plan to stimulate and accelerate a
billion dollars worth of road projects: It's a great idea. I
think now we need to see it executed.
CFB: This area has talked a lot about the need to diversify
the economy. How would you say local leaders have done?
I think that they've done a great job so far. Burnham is
here. We have a major medical city at Lake Nona, in part
because of public-private partnership. We have a wonderful
simulation industry on the east side, because of public-
private partnerships that helped keep Lockheed here. So I
think we've done much better than most places. Going forward,
in an environment of slow growth, those places that are
willing and able to continue to provide some public-private
partnerships will greatly benefit.
CFB: You've developed the reputation as the guy developers
and businesses go to when they need an economist's support
before elected officials. Do you think that reputation is
fair?
I would say I always tried to speak my mind as I really
believed things to be. I've promoted projects when I believed
that they add to the welfare and economy of the community.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we do need to move forward. This
isn't the time to bicker. This is the time to put people to work. This
is the time to pass long-term reauthorization.
I said earlier this cannot be another Band-Aid. We have had 21
extensions. This is the eighth transportation bill extension.
My dad used to say, you know, John, it's not how much you have, it's
also how you spend it. We have to learn lessons. As of September 1,
2011, just a few days ago, 35 percent of the limited amount of
transportation stimulus dollars for infrastructure still remained in
Washington, so it's not just spending people's money, it's spending it
wisely.
The other thing too is the money we spent; 82 percent of it went for
short-term employment. Those jobs have come and gone, a little
repaving, little jobs here. We need long-term commitment, so I am
committed to do whatever it takes to pass a 6-year transportation bill
and a 4-year FAA authorization.
The people of this country deserve no less than having responsible
action by this Congress to move these important infrastructure and job-
creating programs forward, and we are going to do it, mark my word.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I have serious reservations about
H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act
of 2011.''
H.R. 2887 extends for six months, until March 31, 2012, the current
spending levels for the surface transportation authorization SAFETEA-
LU. This authorization expired in September 2009 and this will be the
8th short term extension. When this original 5-year authorization was
passed, it set spending levels above estimated gas tax revenues with
goal of spending down the excess balances in the Highway Trust Fund.
Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, such as the economic
downturn and more fuel efficient vehicles, the gas tax revenue
plateaued while spending remained high. As a result, the Highway Trust
Fund is now insolvent and has required almost $35 billion in bailouts
since 2008. Without reform, CBO estimates that the Highway account will
require another bailout in the first few months of calendar year 2013
and a total of $134 billion in General Fund transfers over the next ten
years.
The House FY 2012 Budget anticipates a long-term surface
transportation authorization bill that keeps the Highway Trust Fund
solvent without additional bailouts or gas tax increases. Maintaining
the current unsustainable level of spending, even for just another 6
months, worsens the financial condition of the Trust Fund and makes the
inevitable task of balancing its spending to meet revenues even more
painful. I urge the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction to come
to agreement on a new surface transportation bill that streamlines the
numerous programs at the Department of Transportation into a smaller
number of core highway activities; eliminates diversions to non-highway
projects such as bike trails and museums; and eliminates earmarks such
as the infamous ``bridge to nowhere.''
H.R. 2887 also extends for four months, until January 31, 2012,
current spending levels for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This will be the 22nd short-term extension since the last long term
authorization expired in 2007. These programs are long past due for
updated and reformed policies. Like current surface transportation
spending, the FAA's Airport Improvement Program [AIP] has been spending
at unsustainable levels and must be restructured to do more with less.
Between 2000 and 2010, spending on the AIP program increased by 47-
percent. In light of soaring deficits, these high levels cannot be
sustained. The House FY 2012 Budget calls for reasonable spending
reductions consistent with H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform
Act of 2011, which maintains the ability for airports to obtain
additional non-Federal sources of funding for important infrastructure
investments.
[[Page H6118]]
Surface Transportation and FAA programs are a critical part of a 21st
century infrastructure in the United States. We know these programs are
outdated and some are on an unsustainable path. While letting these
programs expire is not an option, Congress must act quickly to enact
fiscally responsible and effective reformed authorizations.
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Chairman
and Ranking Member for their efforts to pass this clean extension of
both our surface and air transportation programs.
Working in a bipartisan fashion, we can avoid the previous clashes
and political theatrics that forced 4,000 FAA employees and more than
70,000 construction workers off the job for two weeks without pay.
Our nation's transportation infrastructure is the backbone of our
economy, and we must ensure our ability to move people and goods if we
are to grow the economy and create jobs.
I know the Chairman and Ranking Member share my disappointment that
we are not yet providing back pay for those FAA employees who were
furloughed. As you know, I am a cosponsor of Congressman LoBiondo's
bipartisan legislation to make those employees whole. They were
innocent victims of our inaction, and we should restore those lost
wages immediately.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
H.R. 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of
2011. I am glad to see that a clean authorization could be reached, but
there are important issues that must be considered in the future.
Prior to H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act being sent
to the Senate, I offered an amendment to establish a mandate that at
the top twenty United States airports, there shall be no fewer than
three air traffic controllers on duty during periods of airfield
operations. I firmly believe this provision will ensure that air
traffic control towers at high volume airports in this country will be
appropriately staffed at all times.
We have all heard the recent stories of air traffic controllers
falling asleep, or being locked out of the control tower, or for
whatever reason, not being able to be on the job, on duty at critical
times.
I submit that by simply having a codified policy that at the busiest
and most critical airports we mandate there be personnel redundancy in
control towers, we can make the aviation system much safer.
Think about the people on planes flying across our country. They are
our grandmothers, husbands, wives, and babies. They are American
passengers and their lives have value. To ensure their safety we must
insist that air traffic controllers are vigilant. To ensure their
vigilance we must set reasonable minimum standards.
After 9/11, we discovered the vital importance of protecting our
domestic airspace. Air traffic controllers are part of the front line
of defense to protect and ensure the safety of our air space. If they
lose contact with a plane, they can alert authorities. If an air
traffic controller at a major domestic and international airport is
asleep at the wheel who will make that call?
It is unfair to put the lives of American passengers at high volume
airports at any time in the hands of one individual, who may at some
point be incapacitated. Even pilots have co-pilots. What if the
controller fell ill? What then? What would you tell those passengers on
the plane? Hope for the best? We need to provide the support that air
traffic controllers need in addition to the responsibility.
This language I support creates a mandate, that at all times there
must be a minimum of three air traffic controllers in the tower during
hours of airfield operation. I commend Secretary LaHood for ordering a
second air traffic controller to be on duty overnight at National
Airport. However, the Secretary's action simply evidences that there is
no current mandate for multiple air traffic controllers. According to
the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, most airports operate
24 hours a day with two controllers in the tower for the midnight-to-6
a.m. shift. The operative word is ``most''; we must act to create a
uniform nationwide standard, verifiable and enforceable by the FAA.
This legislation extends the funding for surface transportation
through March, and aviation through January. As we move forward and
prepare to consider this legislation in the coming months, it is my
hope that my colleagues will consider these important provisions.
Increasing the number of air traffic controllers on duty is a simple
way to keep the American people safe.
I am pleased to pass a clean extension of funding for our Nation's
surface transportation and aviation networks. I will continue to
advocate for an increased number of air traffic controllers as Congress
returns to this issue in the next session.
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2887
Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011. When I
came to Congress I fought to become a member of the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee because I know the importance of these issues
for the people of the California 37th district as well as every
American. Transportation is an issue that affects virtually every
American every day and should never be put on the backburner.
H.R. 2887 will ensure that thousands of workers stay on the job and
critical infrastructure projects do not come to a halt. Although I
would much rather see a bill that reauthorizes our surface
transportation and FAA programs long term, this bill will give the time
we need to craft bipartisan long term bills. This bill extends the FAA
and Surface Transportation reauthorization at the current level which
is the lowest we should go. Not extending these programs would result
in over 164,000 jobs lost in California infrastructure jobs alone. We
have to look no further than August to see what happens when this
Congress fails to act on reauthorizing these programs. Nearly, 90,000
jobs were put in jeopardy, over 3,600 FAA experts furloughed, $11
billion in contracts in limbo, and millions of dollars were lost. We
have seen what shutting down can do--now we should see what investing
can do.
Reports from engineers to reports from truck drivers outline the
unacceptable current state of our deteriorating transportation system
and have called for an immediate investment. As a country we waste
billions of dollars every year with unnecessary delays due to a
crumbling and over-congested surface transportation system. We must
simplify our transportation programs and focus on a performance based
system. We must also make the difficult choices about how these
programs get funded and avoid having to continuously path the highway
trust fund.
I have introduced several pieces of legislation that take a
commonsense approach to these reoccurring problems. It provides
solutions like strengthening Title VI so that projects are not delayed
and redesigned when they over look low income and minority based
communities. Establishing a Freight Corridors of National Significance
Program will improve the efficiency, operation, and security of the
national transportation system to move freight by prioritizing,
investing, and promoting partnerships that advance interstate and
foreign commerce, promote economic competitiveness, job creation, and
improve the mobility of goods. Finally, with the growing number of
states with strong environmental controls, we should make every effort
to eliminate duplicative procedures that delay projects, while
maintaining environmental safeguards.
I urge my colleagues to support this clean extension of these two
critical programs so we can get back to work on a long term full
reauthorization. I look forward to working with Chairman Mica and
Ranking member Rahall in the Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee to develop these common sense ideas that will create jobs and
rebuild our infrastructure.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. I am glad
to see a clean bill come to the House floor that extends the
authorization of the Federal Aviation Authority to function through the
end of January 2012. It is critical that we keep an important
government agency like the FAA running and get 3,600 federal employees
and some 70,000 construction workers back to work to make sure that our
air travel and shipment of goods are conducted safely and efficiently.
However, this bill has been so scrubbed clean that it is missing a
crucial component of fairness--back pay for those FAA employees who
were furloughed during a nearly two week agency shutdown.
It should be common sense for us to come together to make sure that
the aviation specialists, engineers, electronics technicians, logistics
experts, medical professionals, support staff, and others who were
abruptly laid off, through no fault of their own, receive the
compensation they deserve. We can't let dedicated, hard-working federal
employees suffer because my colleagues across the aisle were unwilling
to compromise, causing a shutdown of the FAA and costing American
taxpayers $350 million in lost tax revenue.
I am grateful that those FAA employees whose functions were deemed
``essential'' and who continued to work during the shutdown--albeit
without a salary and with no assurances of compensation--have received
full compensation and benefits for that period. But that still leaves
the vast majority of furloughed workers two-weeks short on pay, forcing
many to draw on savings to make ends meet.
I also understand that there is some disagreement over whether the
Department of Transportation has the authority to provide back pay to
furloughed employees under the legislation we are considering since it
operates retroactively to ``erase'' the authorization gap, or if
Congress needs to pass a law.
This disagreement is a poor excuse for inaction. We would be adding
insult to injury if
[[Page H6119]]
we were to deprive furloughed employees of wages while we play the
blame game for the second time--first on keeping the FAA open for
business, and now on who can award a pay check. This is not new
territory: we voted to compensate the 800,000 federal workers laid off
during a 26-day budget stalemate in 1995-1996. We know how to do it. We
just have to demonstrate the political will to get it done.
I urge the House leadership to bring to the floor as expeditiously as
possible H.R. 2814 or other legislation to ensure that these furloughed
employees get paid.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Schock). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2887.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________