[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23345-23346]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           BASELINE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003 SPENDING FOR TEA-21

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, as we wrap up business for the 107th 
Congress, I would like to engage in a brief colloquy with my 
Environment and Public Works Committee and budget Committee colleagues 
regarding an issue that will set the groundwork for reauthorization of 
the surface transportation program next Congress. Specifically, what 
the baseline figure will be for the program. Will it reflect the fiscal 
year 2003 enacted spending level or the pending CR level.
  As my colleagues know, although Section 137 of Public Law 107-240, 
Making Further Continuing Appropriations for fiscal year 2003, provides 
that the highway program be funded at the fiscal year 2002 level of 
$31.8 billion, section 137 limits total annual obligations for the 
program to not more than $27.7 billion. Given that the fiscal year 2003 
enacted level for surface transportation may not be known until after 
the President's fiscal year 2004 budget proposal is submitted, I have a 
concern that we could be faced with an artificially low baseline 
figure. I hope we can reach agreement now that it would be the 
intention of the Budget Committee to use the highest possible figure as 
the baseline for fiscal year 2003 when developing their fiscal year 
2004 resolution. Ideally I would like to see a baseline of $31.8 
billion.
  At a minimum I hope that next year's Budget Resolution will ensure 
that all revenues into the highway account of the Highway Trust Fund 
will be available to the EPW Committee for authorization with the 
existing budgetary protections.
  I know we can all agree that a strong surface transportation program 
creates

[[Page 23346]]

and preserves jobs, and thereby boosts the economy. Beginning 
reauthorization discussions with a low baseline figure stunts the value 
of the economic activity that we can realize with a robust program.
  If my colleagues would care to comment, I will be happy to yield.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. I thank the Senator for yielding for my comments. I 
agree with my colleague Senator Inhofe and I look forward to working 
with him on this major transportation reauthorization bill. He is 
correct that beginning reauthorization discussions with a low baseline 
will hinder our efforts in crafting a truly robust national program 
which will provide strong economic and transportation benefits for all 
regions. I would be happy to yield back to my colleague Senator Reid.
  Mr. REID. I agree with my colleagues. The transportation bill will be 
one of the most important pieces of legislation taken up by the next 
Congress. The series of reauthorization hearings we held this past year 
made clear the importance of a well-functioning transportation system 
to our nation's economy and quality of life. These hearings also laid 
out the challenges our transportation system faces due to increasing 
congestion, safety concerns, the deterioration of our infrastructure, 
and the rapid projected growth in freight movements. Finding the 
necessary funds to address these problems will be our toughest 
reauthorization challenge and I hope that we can work closely with the 
Budget Committee to ensure that we devote the maximum resources 
possible to maintaining and improving our transportation 
infrastructure.
  Mr. BOND. Senator Inhofe accurately states that transportation 
dollars have a direct effect on jobs and the economy in this country. 
For example, earlier this year there was a proposed $8.6 billion 
reduction in fiscal year 2003 proposed spending from fiscal year 2002 
enacted level for highways. This would cost an estimated 6,600 jobs in 
Missouri alone. Fortunately, the Environment and Public Works Committee 
in working with our colleagues on the Senate Transportation 
Appropriation Subcommittee have proposed full funding for fiscal year 
2003.
  More importantly, we need to recognize that our nation's 
transportation infrastructure is also an issue of safety. There is no 
question that increased investment in our nation's transportation 
system saves lives. For these reasons and more, I stand with my 
colleagues on Environment and Public Works in doing everything in our 
power to maintain a robust highway program as we go into 
reauthorization.
  Mr. NICKLES. I appreciate my colleagues comments and agree with them 
that the revenues collected through the federal gas tax should be used 
to maintain and improve our transportation infrastructure. I will work 
with my colleagues to ensure this is the case.

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