[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E665-E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE DEFENSE ACCESS ROADS IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2022

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, today I introduce the ``Defense Access 
Roads Improvement Act,'' which would make commonsense reforms to reduce 
congestion outside military installations. The Defense Access Roads 
program is a unique partnership between the U.S. Departments of Defense 
and Transportation. Under the program, the Secretary of Defense 
designates civilian roadways that provide critical access for domestic 
military installations as Defense Access Roads, making them eligible 
for military construction funding transferred to the Department of 
Transportation for road improvements off base.
  Military installations anchor communities across the nation, 
including California's Travis and Beale Air Force Bases in my 
Congressional district. The Defense Access Road Program ensures that 
the Department of Defense pays its fair share for maintenance, upkeep, 
or upgrades of roads impacted by military traffic and the constant 
movement of heavy equipment and vehicles.
  My ``Defense Access Roads Improvement Act'' would create a new, 
public process for state, county, or municipal governments to petition 
the Department of Defense to designate new Defense Access Roads, 
unlocking military construction funding for needed roadway improvements 
off base. My bill would establish a new online database for designated 
Defense Access Roads and any federal funding requests outstanding, 
which improves public transparency and holds the Pentagon accountable. 
Lastly, my bill would also allow roads leading to commercial shipyards 
used by the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard to be designated as Defense Access 
Roads under the program, instead of just seaports as under current law.
  As chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, which oversees all U.S. 
military installations and the Defense Access Road Program, I am 
committed to securing additional federal investment in off-base 
infrastructure. As a senior member of both the Committee on Armed 
Services and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I plan 
to make

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this legislation a top priority in future National Defense 
Authorization Acts and Highway Bills.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage all Members to join me in cosponsoring the 
``Defense Access Roads Improvement Act.''

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