[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           FISCAL YEAR 2002 TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS ACT

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I am pleased that the Senate was able 
to pass a Transportation Appropriations bill that fully funds the 
airport and highway trust funds and provides funds for high-speed rail 
research and development, among other things. Ensuring that our 
Nation's transportation infrastructure receives adequate funding for 
improvement and maintenance is a critical responsibility of Congress. 
Due in large part to TEA-21, Congress has been able to provide these 
necessary funds on a consistent basis.
  At the same time, I continue to be concerned about unauthorized 
spending that is included in the accompanying report. While I 
appreciate the desire to respond to local requests and concerns, 
nevertheless Congress must work harder to rein itself in when it comes 
to this type of spending. We all know that this is not an easy task. 
While I disagree with the President's tax cut which has reduced the 
availability of funds for necessary programs, nevertheless I am 
encouraged by the Administration's recent announcement that it wants to 
work with Congress to cut back unauthorized spending in appropriations 
bills.
  Adequate funding for our entire transportation infrastructure is one 
of my highest budget priorities. I am pleased that this bill 
accomplishes that goal.

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