[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11351-11357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2005

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2566) to provide an extension of highway, highway safety, motor 
carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway 
Trust Fund pending enactment of a law reauthorizing the Transportation 
Equity Act for the 21st Century.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2566

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Surface Transportation 
     Extension Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. ADVANCES.

       (a) In General.--Section 2(a)(1) of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (23 U.S.C. 104 
     note; 118 Stat. 1144) is amended by striking ``as amended by 
     this section'' and inserting ``as amended by this Act and the 
     Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2005''.
       (b) Programmatic Distributions.--
       (1) Administration of funds.--Section 2(b)(3) of such Act 
     (118 Stat. 1145) is amended by striking ``the amendment made 
     under subsection (d)'' and inserting ``section 1101(l) of the 
     Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century''.
       (2) Special rules for minimum guarantee.--Section 2(b)(4) 
     of such Act is amended by striking ``$1,866,666,667'' and 
     inserting ``$2,100,000,000''.
       (3) Extension of off-system bridge setaside.--Section 
     144(g)(3) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``May 31'' inserting ``June 30''.
       (c) Authorization of Contract Authority.--Section 
     1101(l)(1) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
     Century (118 Stat. 1145) is amended by striking 
     ``$22,685,936,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through 
     May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$25,521,678,000 for the period 
     of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (d) Limitation on Obligations.--Section 2(e) of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 Stat. 1146) 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(e) Limitation on Obligations.--
       ``(1) Distribution of obligation authority.--Subject to 
     paragraph (2), for the period of October 1, 2004, through 
     June 30, 2005, the Secretary shall distribute the obligation 
     limitation made available for Federal-aid highways and 
     highway safety construction programs under the heading 
     `federal-aid highways' in title I of division H of the 
     Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (23 U.S.C. 104 note; 
     118 Stat. 3204), in accordance with section 110 of such title 
     (23 U.S.C. 104 note; 118 Stat. 3209); except that the amount 
     of obligation limitation to be distributed for such period 
     for each program, project, and activity specified in sections 
     110(a)(1), 110(a)(2), 110(a)(4), and 110(a)(5) of such title 
     shall equal the greater of--
       ``(A) the funding authorized for such program, project, or 
     activity in this Act and the Surface Transportation Extension 
     Act of 2005 (including any amendments made by this Act and 
     such Act); or
       ``(B) \9/12\ of the funding provided for or limitation set 
     on such program, project, or activity in title I of division 
     H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005.
       ``(2) Limitation on total amount of authority 
     distributed.--The total amount of obligation limitation 
     distributed under paragraph (1) for the period of October 1, 
     2004, through June 30, 2005, shall not exceed 
     $26,025,000,000; except that this limitation shall not apply 
     to $479,250,000 in obligations for minimum guarantee for such 
     period.
       ``(3) Time period for obligations of funds.--After June 30, 
     2005, no funds shall be

[[Page 11352]]

     obligated for any Federal-aid highway program project until 
     the date of enactment of a law reauthorizing the Federal-aid 
     highway program.
       ``(4) Treatment of obligations.--Any obligation of 
     obligation authority distributed under this subsection shall 
     be considered to be an obligation for Federal-aid highways 
     and highway safety construction programs for fiscal year 2005 
     for the purposes of the matter under the heading `federal-aid 
     highways' in title I of division H of the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2005 (23 U.S.C. 104 note; 118 Stat. 
     3204).''.

     SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       Section 4(a) of the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 
     2004 (118 Stat. 1147) is amended by striking ``$234,682,667'' 
     and inserting ``$264,018,000''.

     SEC. 4. OTHER FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAMS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations Under Title I of TEA-
     21.--
       (1) Federal lands highways.--
       (A) Indian reservation roads.--Section 1101(a)(8)(A) of the 
     Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 
     112; 118 Stat. 1147) is amended--
       (i) in the first sentence by striking ``$183,333,333 for 
     the period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$206,250,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''; and
       (ii) in the second sentence by striking ``$8,666,667'' and 
     inserting ``$9,750,000''.
       (B) Public lands highways.--Section 1101(a)(8)(B) of such 
     Act (112 Stat. 112; 118 Stat. 1148) is amended by striking 
     ``$164,000,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$184,500,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (C) Park roads and parkways.--Section 1101(a)(8)(C) of such 
     Act (112 Stat. 112; 118 Stat. 1148 is amended by striking 
     ``$110,000,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$123,750,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005'' .
       (D) Refuge roads.--Section 1101(a)(8)(D) of such Act (112 
     Stat. 112; 118 Stat. 1148) is amended by striking 
     ``$13,333,333 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$15,000,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (2) National corridor planning and development and 
     coordinated border infrastructure programs.--Section 
     1101(a)(9) of such Act (112 Stat. 112; 118 Stat. 1148) is 
     amended by striking ``$93,333,333 for the period of October 
     1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$105,000,000 
     for the period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (3) Construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal 
     facilities.--
       (A) In general.--Section 1101(a)(10) of such Act (112 Stat. 
     113; 118 Stat. 1148) is amended by striking ``$25,333,333 for 
     the period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$28,500,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (B) Set aside for alaska, new jersey, and washington.--
     Section 5(a)(3)(B) of the Surface Transportation Extension 
     Act of 2004, Part V (118 Stat. 1148) is amended--
       (i) in clause (i) by striking ``$6,666,667'' and inserting 
     ``$7,500,000'';
       (ii) in clause (ii) by striking ``$3,333,333'' and 
     inserting ``$3,750,000''; and
       (iii) in clause (iii) by striking ``$3,333,333'' and 
     inserting ``$3,750,000''.
       (4) National scenic byways program.--Section 1101(a)(11) of 
     the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 
     113; 118 Stat. 1148) is amended by striking ``2001,'' and all 
     that follows through ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``2001, 
     $25,500,000 for fiscal year 2002, $26,500,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2003 and 2004, and $19,875,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (5) Value pricing pilot program.--Section 1101(a)(12) of 
     such Act (112 Stat. 113; 118 Stat. 1148) is amended by 
     striking ``$7,333,333 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$8,250,000 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (6) Highway use tax evasion projects.--Section 1101(a)(14) 
     of such Act (112 Stat. 113; 118 Stat. 1148) is amended by 
     striking ``$3,333,333 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$3,750,000 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (7) Commonwealth of puerto rico highway program.--Section 
     1101(a)(15)(A) of such Act (112 Stat. 113; 118 Stat. 1149) is 
     amended by striking ``$73,333,333 for the period of October 
     1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$82,500,000 
     for the period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (8) Safety grants.--Section 1212(i)(1)(D) of such Act (23 
     U.S.C. 402 note; 112 Stat. 196; 112 Stat. 840; 118 Stat. 
     1149) is amended by striking ``$333,333 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and inserting 
     ``$375,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through June 
     30, 2005''.
       (9) Transportation and community and system preservation 
     pilot program.--Section 1221(e)(1) of such Act (23 U.S.C. 101 
     note; 112 Stat. 223; 118 Stat. 1149) is amended by striking 
     ``$16,666,667 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$18,750,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (10) Transportation infrastructure finance and 
     innovation.--Section 188 of title 23, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (a)(1)(G) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(G) $97,500,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005.'';
       (B) in subsection (a)(2) by striking ``$1,333,333 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$1,500,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''; and
       (C) in the item relating to fiscal year 2005 in table 
     contained in subsection (c) by striking ``$1,733,333,333'' 
     and inserting ``$1,950,000,000''.
       (11) National scenic byways clearinghouse.--Section 
     1215(b)(3) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
     Century (112 Stat. 210; 118 Stat. 1149) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$1,125,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31'' and inserting ``June 30''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations Under Title V of TEA-
     21.--
       (1) Surface transportation research.--Section 5001(a)(1) of 
     the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 
     419; 118 Stat. 1149) is amended by striking ``$68,666,667 for 
     the period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$77,250,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (2) Technology deployment program.--Section 5001(a)(2) of 
     such Act (112 Stat. 419; 118 Stat. 1149) is amended by 
     striking ``$33,333,333 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$37,500,000 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (3) Training and education.--Section 5001(a)(3) of such Act 
     (112 Stat. 420; 118 Stat. 1150) is amended by striking 
     ``$13,333,333 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$15,000,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (4) Bureau of transportation statistics.--Section 
     5001(a)(4) of such Act (112 Stat. 420; 118 Stat. 1150) is 
     amended by striking ``$20,666,667 for the period of October 
     1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$23,250,000 
     for the period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (5) Its standards, research, operational tests, and 
     development.--Section 5001(a)(5) of such Act (112 Stat. 420; 
     118 Stat. 1150) is amended by striking ``$73,333,333 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$82,500,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (6) Its deployment.--Section 5001(a)(6) of such Act (112 
     Stat. 420; 118 Stat. 1150) is amended by striking 
     ``$81,333,333 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$91,500,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (7) University transportation research.--Section 5001(a)(7) 
     of such Act (112 Stat. 420; 118 Stat. 1150) is amended by 
     striking ``$17,666,667 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$19,875,000 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (c) Metropolitan Planning.--Section 5(c)(1) of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 Stat. 1150) 
     is amended by striking ``$145,000,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and inserting 
     ``$163,125,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through 
     June 30, 2005''.
       (d) Territories.--Section 1101(d)(1) of the Transportation 
     Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 111; 118 Stat. 
     1150) is amended by striking ``$24,266,667 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and inserting 
     ``$27,300,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through June 
     30, 2005''.
       (e) Alaska Highway.--Section 1101(e)(1) of such Act (118 
     Stat. 1150) is amended by striking ``$12,533,333 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$14,100,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (f) Operation Lifesaver.--Section 1101(f)(1) of such Act 
     (118 Stat. 1151) is amended by striking ``$333,333 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$375,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (g) Bridge Discretionary.--Section 1101(g)(1) of such Act 
     (118 Stat. 1151) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``$66,666,667'' and inserting 
     ``$75,000,000''; and
       (2) by striking ``May 31'' and inserting ``June 30''.
       (h) Interstate Maintenance.--Section 1101(h)(1) of such Act 
     (118 Stat. 1151) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``$66,666,667'' and inserting 
     ``$75,000,000''; and
       (2) by striking ``May 31'' and inserting ``June 30''.
       (i) Recreational Trails Administrative Costs.--Section 
     1101(i)(1) of such Act (118 Stat. 1151) is amended by 
     striking ``$500,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$562,500 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (j) Railway-Highway Crossing Hazard Elimination in High 
     Speed Rail Corridors.--Section 1101(j)(1) of such Act (118 
     Stat. 1151) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``$3,500,000'' and inserting 
     ``$3,937,500'';

[[Page 11353]]

       (2) by striking ``$166,667'' and inserting ``$187,500''; 
     and
       (3) by striking ``May 31'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``June 30''.
       (k) Nondiscrimination.--Section 1101(k) of such Act (118 
     Stat. 1151) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``$6,666,667 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$7,500,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``$6,666,667 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$7,500,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (l) Administration of Funds.--Section 5(l) of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 Stat. 1151) 
     is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and section 4 of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2005'' after ``this section'' 
     the first place it appears; and
       (2) by inserting ``or the amendment made by section 4(a)(1) 
     of such Act'' before the period at the end.
       (m) Reduction of Allocated Programs.--Section 5(m) of such 
     Act (118 Stat. 1151) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and section 4 of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2005'' after ``but for this 
     section'';
       (2) by striking ``both'';
       (3) by striking ``and by this section'' and inserting ``, 
     by this section, and by section 4 of such Act''; and
       (4) by inserting ``and by section 4 of such Act'' before 
     the period at the end.
       (n) Program Category Reconciliation.--Section 5(n) of such 
     Act (118 Stat. 1151) is amended by inserting ``and section 4 
     of the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2005'' after 
     ``this section''.

     SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS.

       (a) Chapter 1 Highway Safety Programs.--
       (1) Seat belt safety incentive grants.--Section 157(g)(1) 
     of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``$74,666,667 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$84,000,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (2) Prevention of intoxicated driver incentive grants.--
     Section 163(e)(1) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``$73,333,333 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$82,500,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (b) Chapter 4 Highway Safety Programs.--Section 2009(a)(1) 
     of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 
     Stat. 337; 118 Stat. 1152) is amended by striking 
     ``$110,000,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$123,750,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (c) Highway Safety Research and Development.--Section 
     2009(a)(2) of such Act (112 Stat. 337; 118 Stat. 1152) is 
     amended by striking ``1998 through'' and all that follows 
     through ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``1998 through 2004 
     and $54,000,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through 
     June 30, 2005''.
       (d) Occupant Protection Incentive Grants.--Section 
     2009(a)(3) of such Act (112 Stat. 337; 118 Stat. 1152) is 
     amended by striking ``$13,333,333 for the period of October 
     1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``$15,000,000 
     for the period of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.
       (e) Alcohol-Impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive 
     Grants.--Section 2009(a)(4) of such Act (112 Stat. 337; 118 
     Stat. 1153) is amended by striking ``$26,666,667 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$30,000,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (f) National Driver Register.--Section 2009(a)(6) of such 
     Act (112 Stat. 338; 118 Stat. 1153) is amended by striking 
     ``$2,400,000 for the period of October 1, 2004, through May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``$2,700,000 for the period of 
     October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005''.

     SEC. 6. FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM.

       (a) Administrative Expenses.--Section 7(a)(1) of the 
     Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 
     Stat. 1153) is amended by striking ``$160,552,536 for the 
     period of October 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``$192,631,044 for the period October 1, 2004 
     through June 30, 2005''.
       (b) Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.--Section 
     31104(a)(8) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(8) Not more than $126,402,740 for the period of October 
     1, 2004, through June 30, 2005.''.
       (c) Information Systems and Commercial Driver's License 
     Grants.--
       (1) Authorization of appropriation.--Section 31107(a)(6) of 
     such title is amended to read as follows:
       ``(5) $14,958,904 for the period of October 1, 2004, 
     through June 30, 2005.''.
       (2) Emergency cdl grants.--Section 7(c)(2) of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 Stat. 1153) 
     is amended--
       (A) by striking ``May 31,'' and inserting ``June 30,''; and
       (B) by striking ``$665,753'' and inserting ``$747,945''.
       (d) Crash Causation Study.--Section 7(d) of such Act (118 
     Stat. 1154) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``$665,753'' and inserting ``$747,945''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``May 31'' and inserting ``June 30''.

     SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL TRANSIT PROGRAMS.

       (a) Allocating Amounts.--Section 5309(m) of title 49, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
     (1) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)--
       (A) in the heading by striking ``may 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``june 30, 2005'';
       (B) by striking ``$6,933,333'' and inserting 
     ``$7,800,000''; and
       (C) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005'';
       (3) in paragraph (3)(B)--
       (A) by striking ``$2,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$2,250,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''; and
       (4) in paragraph (3)(C)--
       (A) by striking ``$33,333,333'' and inserting 
     ``$37,500,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''.
       (b) Formula Grants Authorizations.--Section 5338(a) of 
     title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the heading to paragraph (2) by striking ``may 31, 
     2005'' and inserting ``june 30, 2005'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)(A)(vii)--
       (A) by striking ``$2,201,760,000'' and inserting 
     ``$2,545,785,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005'';
       (3) in paragraph (2)(B)(vii) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2005''; and
       (4) in paragraph (2)(C) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (c) Formula Grant Funds.--Section 8(d) of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 Stat. 1155) 
     is amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005'';
       (2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 2005'';
       (3) in paragraph (1) by striking ``$3,233,300'' and 
     inserting ``$3,637,462'';
       (4) in paragraph (2) by striking ``$33,333,333'' and 
     inserting ``$37,500,000'';
       (5) in paragraph (3) by striking ``$65,064,001'' and 
     inserting ``$73,197,001'';
       (6) in paragraph (4) by striking ``$172,690,702'' and 
     inserting ``$194,277,040'';
       (7) in paragraph (5) by striking ``$4,633,333'' and 
     inserting ``$5,212,500''; and
       (8) in paragraph (6) by striking ``$2,473,245,331'' and 
     inserting ``$2,782,400,997''.
       (d) Capital Program Authorizations.--Section 5338(b)(2) of 
     title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``may 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``june 30, 2005'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A)(vii)--
       (A) by striking ``$1,740,960,000'' and inserting 
     ``$2,012,985,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (B)(vii) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (e) Planning Authorizations and Allocations.--Section 
     5338(c)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``may 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``june 30, 2005'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A)(vii)--
       (A) by striking ``$41,813,334'' and inserting 
     ``$48,346,668''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (B)(vii) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (f) Research Authorizations.--Section 5338(d)(2) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``may 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``june 30, 2005'' ;
       (2) in subparagraph (A)(vii)--
       (A) by striking ``$28,266,667'' and inserting 
     ``$32,683,333''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005'';
       (3) in subparagraph (B)(vii) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2005''; and
       (4) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (g) Allocation of Research Funds.--Section 8(h) of the 
     Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 
     Stat. 1156) is amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005'';
       (2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 2005'';
       (3) in paragraph (1) by striking ``$3,500,000'' and 
     inserting ``$3,937,500'';
       (4) in paragraph (2) by striking ``$5,500,000'' and 
     inserting ``$6,187,500''; and
       (5) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``$2,666,667'' and inserting 
     ``$3,000,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``$666,667'' and inserting ``$750,000''.
       (h) University Transportation Research Authorizations.--
     Section 5338(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``may 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``june 30, 2005'';

[[Page 11354]]

       (2) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) by striking ``$3,200,000'' and inserting 
     ``$3,700,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005'';
       (3) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005''; and
       (4) in subparagraphs (C)(i) and (C)(iii) by striking ``May 
     31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (i) Allocation of University Transportation Research 
     Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Section 8(j) of the Surface Transportation 
     Extension Act of 2004, Part V (118 Stat. 1157) is amended--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
     (1) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005'';
       (B) in paragraph (1)(A) by striking ``$1,333,333'' and 
     inserting ``$1,500,000'';
       (C) in paragraph (1)(B) by striking ``$1,333,333'' and 
     inserting ``$1,500,000''; and
       (D) in paragraph (2) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005'' .
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 3015(d)(2) of the 
     Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 
     857; 118 Stat. 1157) is amended by striking ``May 31, 2005'' 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (j) Administration Authorizations.--Section 5338(f)(2) of 
     title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``may 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``june 30, 2005'' ;
       (2) in subparagraph (A)(vii)--
       (A) by striking ``$41,600,000'' and inserting 
     ``$48,100,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (B)(vii) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (k) Job Access and Reverse Commute Program.--Section 
     3037(l) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
     (49 U.S.C. 5309 note; 112 Stat. 391; 118 Stat. 1157) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(A)(vii)--
       (A) by striking ``$80,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$92,500,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)(B)(vii) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2005''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2) by striking ``May 31, 2005, not more 
     than $6,666,667'' and inserting ``June 30, 2005, not more 
     than $7,500,000''.
       (l) Rural Transportation Accessibility Incentive Program.--
     Section 3038(g) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
     Century (49 U.S.C. 5310 note; 112 Stat. 393; 118 Stat. 1158) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1)(G) and inserting after 
     paragraph (1)(F) the following:
       ``(G) $3,937,500 for the period of October 1, 2004, through 
     June 30, 2005.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``$1,133,333'' and inserting 
     ``$1,275,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''.
       (m) Urbanized Area Formula Grants.--Section 5307(b)(2) of 
     title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the heading by striking ``may 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``june 30, 2005''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (n) Obligation Ceiling.--Section 3040(7) of the 
     Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 
     394; 118 Stat. 1158) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``$5,172,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$5,818,500,000''; and
       (2) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''.
       (o) Fuel Cell Bus and Bus Facilities Program.--Section 
     3015(b) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
     (112 Stat. 361; 118 Stat. 1158) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''; and
       (2) by striking ``$3,233,333'' and inserting 
     ``$3,637,500''.
       (p) Advanced Technology Pilot Project.--Section 3015(c)(2) 
     of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 
     U.S.C. 322 note; 112 Stat. 361; 118 Stat. 1158) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``May 31, 2005,'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2005''; and
       (2) by striking ``$3,333,333'' and inserting 
     ``$3,750,000''.
       (q) Projects for New Fixed Guideway Systems and Extensions 
     to Existing Systems.--Subsections (a), (b), and (c)(1) of 
     section 3030 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
     Century (112 Stat. 373; 118 Stat. 1158) are amended by 
     striking ``May 31, 2005'' and inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (r) New Jersey Urban Core Project.--Subparagraphs (A), (B), 
     and (C) of section 3031(a)(3) of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2122; 118 
     Stat. 1158) are amended by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005''.
       (s) Treatment of Funds.--Amounts made available under the 
     amendments made by this section shall be treated for purposes 
     of section 1101(b) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 
     21st Century (23 U.S.C. 101 note) as amounts made available 
     for programs under title III of such Act.
       (t) Local Share.--Section 3011(a) of the Transportation 
     Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 5307 note; 118 
     Stat. 1158) is amended by striking ``May 31, 2005'' and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2005''.

     SEC. 8. SPORT FISHING AND BOATING SAFETY.

       (a) Funding for National Outreach and Communications 
     Program.--Section 4(c)(7) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish 
     Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(c)(6)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(6) $7,499,997 for the period of October 1, 2004, through 
     June 30, 2005;''.
       (b) Clean Vessel Act Funding.--Section 4(b)(4) of such Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 777c(b)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(4) First 9 months of fiscal year 2005.--For the period 
     of October 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, of the balance of 
     each annual appropriation remaining after making the 
     distribution under subsection (a), an amount equal to 
     $61,499,997, reduced by 82 percent of the amount appropriated 
     for that fiscal year from the Boat Safety Account of the 
     Aquatic Resources Trust Fund established by section 9504 of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to carry out the purposes 
     of section 13106(a) of title 46, United States Code, shall be 
     used as follows:
       ``(A) $7,499,997 shall be available to the Secretary of the 
     Interior for 3 fiscal years for obligation for qualified 
     projects under section 5604(c) of the Clean Vessel Act of 
     1992 (33 U.S.C. 1322 note).
       ``(B) $6,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary of the 
     Interior for 3 fiscal years for obligation for qualified 
     projects under section 7404(d) of the Sportfishing and 
     Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 777g-1(d)).
       ``(C) The balance remaining after the application of 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be transferred to the 
     Secretary of Transportation and shall be expended for State 
     recreational boating safety programs under section 13106 of 
     title 46, United States Code.''.
       (c) Boat Safety Funds.--Section 13106(c) of title 46, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``$3,333,336'' and inserting 
     ``$3,750,003''; and
       (2) by striking ``$1,333,336'' and inserting 
     ``$1,500,003''.

     SEC. 9. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF TRUST FUNDS FOR 
                   OBLIGATIONS UNDER TEA-21.

       (a) Highway Trust Fund.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 9503(c) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
       (A) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``June 1, 2005'' and inserting ``July 1, 2005'',
       (B) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (J),
       (C) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (K) 
     and inserting ``, or'',
       (D) by inserting after subparagraph (K) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(L) authorized to be paid out of the Highway Trust Fund 
     under the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2005.'', 
     and
       (E) in the matter after subparagraph (L), as added by this 
     paragraph, by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act 
     of 2004, Part V'' and inserting ``Surface Transportation 
     Extension Act of 2005''.
       (2) Mass transit account.--Paragraph (3) of section 9503(e) 
     of such Code is amended--
       (A) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``June 1, 2005'' and inserting ``July 1, 2005'',
       (B) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``or'' at the end of 
     such subparagraph,
       (C) in subparagraph (I), by inserting ``or'' at the end of 
     such subparagraph,
       (D) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(J) the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2005,'', 
     and
       (E) in the matter after subparagraph (J), as added by this 
     paragraph, by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act 
     of 2004, Part V'' and inserting ``Surface Transportation 
     Extension Act of 2005''.
       (3) Exception to limitation on transfers.--Subparagraph (B) 
     of section 9503(b)(6) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``June 1, 2005'' and inserting ``July 1, 2005''.
       (b) Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.--
       (1) Sport fish restoration account.--Paragraph (2) of 
     section 9504(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 
     2004, Part V'' each place it appears and inserting ``Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2005''.
       (2) Boat safety account.--Subsection (c) of section 9504 of 
     such Code is amended--
       (A) by striking ``June 1, 2005'' and inserting ``July 1, 
     2005'', and
       (B) by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 
     2004, Part V'' and inserting ``Surface Transportation 
     Extension Act of 2005''.
       (3) Exception to limitation on transfers.--Paragraph (2) of 
     section 9504(d) of such Code is amended by striking ``June 1, 
     2005'' and inserting ``July 1, 2005''.
       (c) Extension of Tax, Etc., on Use of Certain Heavy 
     Vehicles.--The following provisions of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986 are each amended by striking ``2005'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``2006'':
       (1) Section 4481(f).
       (2) Section 4482(c)(4).
       (3) Section 4482(d).
       (4) Section 4483(h).
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

[[Page 11355]]

       (e) Temporary Rule Regarding Adjustments.--During the 
     period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2003 and ending on June 30, 
     2005, for purposes of making any estimate under section 
     9503(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of receipts of 
     the Highway Trust Fund, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     treat--
       (1) each expiring provision of paragraphs (1) through (4) 
     of section 9503(b) of such Code which is related to 
     appropriations or transfers to such Fund to have been 
     extended through the end of the 24-month period referred to 
     in section 9503(d)(1)(B) of such Code, and
       (2) with respect to each tax imposed under the sections 
     referred to in section 9503(b)(1) of such Code, the rate of 
     such tax during the 24-month period referred to in section 
     9503(d)(1)(B) of such Code to be the same as the rate of such 
     tax as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Surface 
     Transportation Extension Act of 2003.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri).


                             General Leave

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2566.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill will extend for 30 days our Nation's highway, 
transit and safety programs when the current program expires at the end 
of May. We need to take this action to give us some more time to get a 
long-term authorization in place. Conferees will soon be named so that 
we can get to work to complete a conference report on H.R. 3 by the 
time this extension has run its course.
  I ask my colleagues to approve this extension with the clear 
intention that the next time we are on the floor, we will be here to 
ask for your vote for a conference report to extend these programs to 
the year 2009.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2566 will extend for 30 days our nation's highway, 
transit and safety programs. I am not pleased that we have to bring 
this bill before the House, but we must move this extension--and I 
trust this is the last time we will do so--in order to keep our 
transportation program functioning as we work to finalize a multi-year 
reauthorization bill.
  As the members know, we worked to enact such a reauthorization bill 
last year, but with the pressure of election-year politics and the 
various demands placed on the program with not enough resources to meet 
them, we were unable to do so before the 108th Congress adjourned.
  This year, the House passed H.R. 3 by an overwhelming 417 to 9 vote 
on March 10. But the other body passed its version of the 
reauthorization just last week. With the current program expiring at 
the end of May, we need to take this action to give us some more time 
to get a long-term authorization in place.
  Having said that, I hope conferees will be named soon so that we can 
get to work to complete a conference report on H.R. 3 by the time this 
extension runs its course. I do not want to be here 30 days from now, 
saying once again that we need just a few more weeks to get to a final 
agreement.
  But it is going to take some hard work and require some tough 
decisions being made on the part of the committees and the leadership 
on both sides of the Capitol.
  We have to work with the White House. There are complicated policy 
issues and, whenever you are dealing with formulas to distribute money, 
there are sensitive funding issues to address. But we need to get it 
done--and get it done right.
  So one more time I will ask my colleagues to approve this extension--
with the clear intention that next time we are on the floor, we will be 
here to ask for your vote on a conference report to extend these 
programs through 2009.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it was September 24, 2003, when this House was 
considering the first surface transportation extension bill that I 
said, ``I am afraid we will be back here on this floor once again 
pleading for another extension of time to keep transportation programs 
from once again expiring. I do not want to be back on this floor saying 
again what I said 6 years ago. Time is running out.''
  Well, what I said 20 months ago has been right again and again. 
Tonight we are here following six extensions of current law pleading 
for, once again, a temporary extension of authorization for highway 
construction, safety and public transportation funding. And what is 
discouraging is we are almost in the same position we were a year ago 
when both Houses passed legislation, met in conference to resolve our 
differences, but the unwillingness of the White House to agree to a 
level of investment the country really needs and which we all 
understand is needed prevented the conference from coming to a 
successful resolution. So here we are with extension number seven.
  Like the six previous extensions, this bill provides for a clean 
extension of program funding authorization, which means that in the 
interim we have not been able to modify or update current surface 
transportation programs that need those adjustments.
  The bill will provide $3.14 billion in new contract authority for 
highway programs through June 30, 2005. I better say 2005, lest we get 
confused with the next year. For transit programs, the bill provides 
$647 million for the month of June to allow programs to continue for 
one more month.

                              {time}  2045

  The best news about this bill is that the prospects look better than 
they have for the past 2 years. The chairman of our full committee, the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) has been designated, or will be 
designated and agreed upon to be the Chair of the conference. I think 
that indicates that we will move with expeditious resolve to get this 
legislation completed in the month allotted by this extension of time.
  But let us not underestimate the problems lying ahead of us. They are 
enormous, and they are principally funding problems. We have passed 
through our committee, through this House, in extraordinarily good 
time, early in this year, carrying our responsibility as we said we 
would do, to the transportation needs of America; but it has been the 
other body and the other branch of government that have not done their 
part.
  Now, I am confident that when we get into conference, we could just 
take our bill, if the other body would simply accept it, we would get 
it passed, and we would meet the transportation needs of the country, 
but I suspect it is not going to be quite that simple. So it is 
reassuring that our chairman will be the conference chair, and that 
means that things will move along, I think, very expeditiously.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), the ranking member on the 
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me 
this time.
  I am pleased that we finally have a bill out of the Senate, and I am 
pleased that we are going to move forward to conference. At this point, 
given the tardy adoption of the legislation by the Senate, it is 
necessary that we have, hopefully, one last, final, temporary, 30-day 
extension.
  We are now 20 months overdue on this essential piece of legislation. 
This is a bill that, if adequately funded, could provide tens of 
thousands of jobs, putting Americans to work at projects that are 
needed to improve the transportation infrastructure, failing bridges, 
roads, highways, congestion management, mass transit; to more 
efficiently move people to work, from work, about in their daily lives; 
to move goods to firms for just-in-time delivery. It could be a real 
boost for an economy that, in my opinion, is still sputtering, and 
dependent upon too much borrowing and not enough real investment.
  This is real investment. This is money we do not have to borrow. We

[[Page 11356]]

are borrowing $1.3 million a minute to run the government. We do not 
have to borrow a single penny to build and rebuild these roads, 
bridges, and highways and move Americans more efficiently about the 
country.
  I have a letter from the American Association of State Highway and 
Transportation Officials, and I think they have said it well: ``An 
uncertain funding stream has forced the States to slow down planning 
and design and to delay construction of critically needed highway and 
transit projects. Further delay in enacting a reauthorization bill 
continues to reduce the purchasing power of Federal transportation 
dollars and increase the costs of projects.''
  I think that says it well.
  So we should act with all dispatch to move forward to conference and 
resolve the differences between the House and Senate, and adopt the 
most robust funding level possible, perhaps even having to challenge 
the White House on the numbers where they have drawn a line in the 
sand.
  I have tremendous confidence in our chairman of the committee and of 
the conference, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and I know that 
the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), of vast experience in a 
number of past reauthorizations, will lend all the support he can from 
our side of the aisle, and I will back him up as best as I can.
  We need to adopt a permanent surface transportation reauthorization 
before or by the end of this next extension.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown).
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the 
gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for their leadership on this issue.
  This bill is almost 2 years overdue, and that is just not fair to the 
Nation-traveling public who deserve better from this Congress and this 
administration. If you have been watching the floor today, you will 
know that we are building the world's largest embassy in Iraq, even 
though the Iraqi people do not want us there, and even though this will 
be the biggest target for terrorists in the world.
  We are spending $1 billion a week to destroy and rebuild Iraq's 
infrastructure, while completely ignoring the infrastructure right here 
in America, the people who are paying the bills.
  Transportation projects are a natural economic development tool which 
this Nation sorely needs. The Department of Transportation statistics 
show that every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure 
creates 42,000 jobs. Let me repeat that: 42,000 jobs for every $1 
billion we invest, and $2.1 billion in economic activities. It also 
saves 1,400 lives. We cannot argue with those statistics.
  Transportation funding is a win-win for everyone involved. States get 
an improved transportation infrastructure that creates economic 
development, puts people back to work, enhances safety, and improves 
local communities.
  Why the President is opposed to this bill that has the potential of 
creating millions of jobs is beyond me. The President's own Highway 
Administration has stated that we need a minimum of $375 billion just 
to maintain current infrastructure. By delaying the passage of this 
much-needed legislation, we are doing a disservice to the driving 
public and the Nation as a whole.
  The States who are battling red ink want to see this bill passed, the 
construction companies who are laying off employees want to see this 
bill passed, and the citizens who are waiting in traffic jams want to 
see this bill passed.
  Let us get serious about putting people back to work. Let us pass a 
bill that truly meets the needs of the traveling public and not the 
need for the President to seem fiscally responsible while he runs up 
the national debt.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me express my 
appreciation to the committee leadership and the entire committee. We 
were faced with the Department of Transportation saying that we need 
$376 billion just to take care of the areas of crisis for safety and 
for travel; yet, we are still trying at this bill. It is unfortunate 
that we have to extend one more time, but I hope this is the last time 
that we have to extend before we get a permanent bill.
  I appreciate all of the support that the committee has given. As a 
matter of fact, the committee is trying to cooperate with the 
Department of Transportation by even mentioning $376 billion, and we 
did pass something that the President has agreed to, but now we go to 
conference. So to tide us over, because, yes, our communities are 
suffering, the persons who build are having to lay off people, things 
are becoming more expensive while we wait and debate the real bill of 
which we can start to work on the real problems in transportation in 
this country. Our environment is getting worse, the congestion in the 
cities is getting worse, as well as bridges falling.
  It is time for us to think of the American people, put them to work, 
and give us the needed infrastructure improvement that we need in this 
country.
  I urge everyone to vote for this extension and hope this is the last 
one.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just say it was quite a coincidence that just as 
we began, or just before beginning consideration of this bill, the 
papers arrived from the other body, signaling that we are ready, 
perhaps tomorrow, to move to go to conference.
  That is a good sign: Appoint conferees, and return from the Memorial 
Day recess ready to, well, I would not say roll up our sleeves, because 
it will be short-sleeve time by then, but to go to work on the 
conference report and bridge the differences, literally, between the 
two bodies and two versions of the bill with the least amount of 
interference from the executive branch of government.
  Left to our own devices, the House and the Senate will come to 
agreement on the conference report and do what is good and necessary 
for the country in transportation.
  Mr. Speaker, almost 20 months ago, on September 24, 2003, when this 
House was considering the first surface transportation extension bill, 
I stated: ``I am afraid . . . we will be back here on this floor once 
again pleading for another extension of time to keep transportation 
programs from once again expiring . . . I do not want to be back on 
this floor saying again what I said six years ago, time is running 
out.'' What I predicted then has repeatedly proven correct--we have had 
six extensions since that day. And here we are today pleading once 
again for a temporary extension of authorizations for highway 
construction, highway safety, and public transportation funding.
  What is even more discouraging is that we are almost at exactly the 
same position we were a year ago when both houses of Congress passed 
legislation and met in Conference Committee to resolve our differences. 
But the unwillingness of the Administration to agree to a level of 
investment that this country needs to meet its transportation 
requirements prevented the Conference from coming to a successful 
conclusion. So we are here today, trying to pass the 7th temporary 
extension to keep our federal surface transportation programs going.
  It is time, in fact it is long overdue, for this Congress to realize 
that it is not a parliamentary body. The Constitution gives Congress 
the power to make laws. It is now up to the House and Senate to come 
together in Conference Committee and resolve their difference, 
including deciding the overall funding level of the bill. Too often the 
Republican Leadership in both bodies simply bows to the wishes of the 
Administration, which in this case has drawn an arbitrary line in the 
sand. In doing so, they abdicate their Constitutional duty to make laws 
and do a real disservice to the American people.
  Delay in a long-term reauthorization of the federal surface 
transportation programs has been costly to our Nation. When the first 
extension was about to expire last year, the American Association of 
State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) estimated that 
failure to enact a long-term reauthorization would mean a $2.1 billion 
increase in

[[Page 11357]]

project cost and a loss of more than 90,000 jobs that could have been 
created. The uncertainty caused by Congress' failure to pass this bill 
has significantly limited the States' willingness to plan and budget 
for large, multi-year projects.
  We must now finish the job that Congress should have completed 20 
months ago. Now that the Other Body has passed its version of the 
transportation reauthorization bill last week, we should immediately 
begin the work of the Conference Committee to ensure that we reach 
agreement on a Conference Report before this extension expires at the 
end of next month. Continuing our federal surface transportation 
programs by temporarily extending their funding authorization is no way 
to do business, especially when we are dealing with costly, multi-year 
transportation projects that require long-term certainty in planning, 
development, and financing. The 2005 construction season is upon us. I 
can only imagine what further damage and financial cost will be 
inflicted if another extension is needed to carry us to the promised 
land of a long-term transportation act.
  Like the six previous extensions, H.R. 2566 provides for a ``clean'' 
extension of program funding authorization. As a result, Congress has 
not been able to modify or update current surface transportation 
programs that are in need of such adjustment.
  Overall, this bill would provide $3.14 billion in new contracts 
authority for highway programs for the month ending on June 30, 2005. 
For transit programs, this bill would provide $647 million for the 
month of June. This funding will allow the programs to continue for one 
more month.
  I hope we can complete the Conference Report during this time and 
will not have to come back here again to set new records for the number 
of temporary extensions and the length of time since the expiration of 
a regular long-term surface transportation act. I strongly urge my 
colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I am voting for this bill because 
without enactment of such an extension the current transportation law 
will expire on May 31, 2005. It is critical that transportation 
programs and projects continue while Congress continues to work toward 
their long-term renewal.
  With that being said I feel it important that Congress act swiftly 
and pass into law a long-term authorization for highway and mass 
transit programs. The number of continuing extensions passed by 
Congress have not provided state Departments of Transportations (DOT)s, 
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO)s, cities and municipalities 
the certainty they need to plan for, manage and fund their 
transportation priorities.
  I am hopeful Congress acts quickly to resolve the differences between 
the House and Senate version so that we can invest the needed long term 
resources to create jobs and address transportation challenges facing 
the Colorado and United States.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, today, we are poised to enact our seventh 
extension of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-
21). This Act was originally set to expire in September 2003. 
Unfortunately, after nearly two years of consideration, Congress has 
been unable to pass a new reauthorization measure.
  I truly hope that this is the last extension we have to pass. The 
transportation reauthorization guides all federal spending on highways 
and transit systems. The delay in enactment of this legislation has 
left states and transit systems uncertain about the funding they will 
have. As a result, they have delayed critical constructions projects--
and good paying jobs have been lost.
  State departments of transportation reported at the end of last year 
that collectively they had already delayed the implementation of more 
than $2 billion worth of highway and transit projects, which has caused 
nearly 90,000 job opportunities to be lost.
  The delay in implementation of transportation construction projects 
is also causing the traveling public to suffer. The new 2005 Urban 
Mobility Report published by the Texas Transportation Institute found 
that drivers now waste nearly 4 billion hours and $63 billion waiting 
in congestion.
  The only way to reduce this congestion and to create new jobs is for 
states to build the new roads and transit projects they need--and 
states cannot do that until the federal government meets its 
responsibility and commits funding for these projects to the states.
  There is an old saying: even if you are on the right track, you'll 
get run over if you just sit there. Right now, it is time to get 
moving--and to get our transportation system moving--by passing a 
transportation reauthorization.
  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, here we go again. For the seventh time 
since the expiration of TEA 21 in September 2003, the House will adopt 
a temporary extension of highway, transit and highway safety programs.
  Why can't we get this bill done? The House adopted the legislation on 
a 417-9 vote. The Senate adopted the legislation on an 89-11 vote. And 
yet, the President has threatened to veto the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, Americans are spending more time in traffic today than 
they ever have before. They're commuting hours to work, missing their 
children's soccer games, and losing their precious free time to 
traffic.
  Commuters in my district in San Francisco's Bay Area are suffering in 
the second worst city in America for gridlock. They're losing a total 
of over $2 million in wasted fuel and several hours each week, away 
from their offices and their families.
  At the same time, our infrastructure is in need of repair. Our roads 
and highways are crumbling and we have limited funds to invest in new 
transit systems.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people get it. They know that we need an 
infusion of federal funds to begin addressing our critical 
transportation infrastructure needs. They're tired of paying gas taxes 
at the pump and receiving nothing in return.
  It's time to get this bill done. It's time for the President to put 
his veto stamp away and listen to the American people.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2566.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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