[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 22458-22460]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2009

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, might I inquire, before I begin, as to the 
amount of time that I have remaining and the amount of time the 
gentleman from Minnesota has remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida has 30 seconds 
remaining and the gentleman from Minnesota has 3 minutes.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, again, the situation we find ourselves in, in 
just a few minutes here, will be to vote whether or not to proceed with 
a 3-month extension on the highway bill.
  Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, my side of the aisle and my 
leadership is asking not to kill a 3-month extension. We are very much 
in favor of a highway bill. What they are asking for is an opportunity 
to be heard, for this bill to go through regular order through the 
Rules Committee and have one opportunity, at least one opportunity, for 
the minority to be heard on this important piece of legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield myself the balance of my time.
  As a matter of historical record, it was I who suggested, when I 
heard from my distinguished Republican leader on the committee that the 
leaders of the Republican Conference had decided to oppose the 
suspension, that we would then, instead, ask for a rule to consider the 
bill. But on further consideration, I decided that there are so many 
Members on both sides who really wanted to vote on this bill that the 
time is now.
  I just want to point out that in the consideration of the current 
law, surface transportation law, beginning in 2003, there were 12 
extensions: five were considered under unanimous consent, with my 
support; seven bills were considered under suspension of the rules, all 
of which I cosponsored; four were agreed to by voice vote; three were 
passed by recorded vote. The first, ironically, was September 30, 2003, 
6 years ago, for a 5-month extension. I supported that. It was a voice 
vote. We didn't ask for a bill to be brought up under a rule. We didn't 
ask for a recorded vote. We just, as a matter of comity and 
participation and in the best interests of the country and in the best 
interests of transportation, supported an extension for 5 months, and 
on through 12 of them, the last being the extension into September of 
2004.
  Why, now, all of a sudden, after our side had time and again 
supported extensions that, let me just go here, the last was July 30, 
2005. I correct myself. I supported it. This is in the best public 
interest, I said, to give the Congress time, the House and Senate 
conference committees, to finish a bill.
  Now, there are a number of organizations that support the short-term 
extension--the American Trucking Association, the American Automobile 
Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce--urging the Congress to enact a multiyear surface 
transportation authorization bill as soon as possible. The 
Transportation Construction Coalition, 28 national construction trade 
associations and construction trade unions.
  The proposed 3-month extension is far preferable to the 18 months. A 
whole host of groups say do the right thing. I ask this body to do the 
right thing today.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 3617, the ``Surface Transportation Extension Act''. I would 
like to thank my colleague Representative James Oberstar for 
introducing this legislation, as well as the co-sponsors.
  I stand in support of this important legislation because of the 
importance transportation has for my state of Texas, and my home city 
of Houston.
  As a body we must be judicious in appropriating funds for 
transportation because it is of such vital interest to our Nation. 
Investments in our Nation's surface transportation infrastructure 
create millions of family-wage jobs and billions of dollars of economic 
activity. Each $1 billion of Federal funds creates 47,500 jobs and $6.1 
billion in economic activity. In addition, this investment in 
transportation infrastructure will increase business productivity by 
reducing the costs of producing goods in virtually all industrial 
sectors of the economy. Increased productivity results in increased 
demand for labor, capital, and raw materials and generally leads to 
lower product prices and increased sales.
  Because so much is literally riding on a transportation agreement for 
the 21st Century we must insist on a balanced surface transportation 
program that serves the mobility needs of our country in a manner 
consistent with key Democratic principles, including: economic growth, 
intermodalism, security, safety, continuity, equal opportunity, 
protecting our human and natural environment, rebuilding our transit 
and highway systems, encouraging alternative transportation, 
encouraging smart growth, encouraging advanced technology solutions, 
and protecting the rights of workers in transportation industries. 
While I am satisfied with this current extension I look forward to the 
day when we can pass a comprehensive and equitable transportation 
agreement that serves the 21st Century transportation needs of the 
American people.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, while we understand the need to extend 
our transportation programs while the other body deals with health care 
and climate change legislation, we must stand firm about passing a new 
authorization of our transportation programs in the next 6 months.
  Investing in America's infrastructure is the surest way to put 
Americans back to work. We can't afford to miss another construction 
cycle. Nor should we fall into a short term extension ``trap''. Even 
worse would be to punt until the next Congress the reauthorization of 
the Surface Transportation Act.
  Throughout America, our infrastructure is falling apart. Communities 
large and small--urban and rural--are suffering from deteriorating 
roads and bridges, aging water and sewer pipes, and an inadequate 
electrical grid.
  It is so bad that the American Society of Civil Engineers has given 
our nation's infrastructure an overall grade of ``D''. They say that we 
need $2.2 trillion to repair highway, transit and water projects after 
years of neglect.
  If it were not for the economic recovery package, we would be 
spending less than at any time in recent history and far less than our 
international competitors on this critical component of our nation's 
strength.
  Real highway spending per mile traveled has fallen by 50 percent 
since the Highway Trust Fund was established.
  Total combined highway and transit spending as a share of gross 
domestic product has fallen by 25 percent during that period, to 1.5 
percent of GDP today.
  By not adjusting the tax rate for inflation, the gas tax has lost 33 
percent of its purchasing power since 1993.
  Over this time, we have failed to pursue the type of innovation 
necessary to ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs of future 
generations.
  While America must and will spend more on infrastructure, it is 
critical to have the vision for what we are buying. More important, we 
must change the value proposition to get more from each dollar 
invested. The House has that vision and leadership. Let's take the next 
6 months to write it into law.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to lend my voice in support of 
the Surface Transportation Extension we are considering today.

[[Page 22459]]

We must continue to fund ongoing projects and ensure ongoing programs 
don't grind to a halt. However we must continue to build on the work of 
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and reauthorize our 
surface transportation programs. Transportation is an issue that 
affects virtually every American every day and should never be put on 
the back burner. 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 as 
well as every American. I support limiting the extension to 3 months so 
these issues stay on the forefront of our agenda.
  Report after report has outlined the unacceptable current state of 
our deteriorating transportation system and called for major and 
immediate reform. As a country we waste billions of dollars every year 
with unnecessary delays due to a crumbling and over-congested surface 
transportation system. We need to fundamentally rethink the way we move 
people and goods. We must simplify our transportation programs and 
focus on a performance based system. Finally, we must make the tough 
choices about how to fund these programs and avoid having to 
continuously patch the highway trust fund.
  Transportation experts around the country agree this is a time for a 
bold new transportation vision and I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Program before the 
extension before us today runs out.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to correct statements that were 
made by the gentleman from Arizona in the course of this debate, in 
which he gave inaccurate information about the magnetic levitation 
deployment program and the America's Byways Resource Center.
  SAFETEA-LU established a program to fund the deployment of magnetic 
levitation transportation projects. SAFETEA-LU provided $45 million for 
the MAGLEV program in FY09, under the policy agreements made in the 
course of negotiations on that legislation.
  This is an extension of a current law program, and is consistent with 
the approach taken throughout the Surface Transportation Extension Act. 
No Member requested the inclusion of this language.
  The America's Byways Resource Center was originally authorized and 
funded under TEA-21. Byway leaders, local groups, volunteers, 
organizations and the State coordinators responsible for the planning 
and marketing involved with nationally designated byways depend on the 
center for the training, information and expertise paving the way to 
better byways.
  The Federal Highway Administration leads and manages the National 
Scenic Byways Program as a community-based program and works in 
coordination with the center to ensure the continued commitment to the 
success of America's Byways.
  Policy changes can and will be considered in the course of a long-
term authorization, but are not appropriate in a short-term extension. 
H.R. 3617 extends the policies and agreements made under SAFETEA-LU, 
and continuation of these programs is consistent with this approach.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3617.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 335, 
nays 85, not voting 12, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 731]

                               YEAS--335

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Adler (NJ)
     Alexander
     Altmire
     Andrews
     Arcuri
     Austria
     Baca
     Baird
     Baldwin
     Barrow
     Barton (TX)
     Bean
     Becerra
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Blumenauer
     Boccieri
     Bonner
     Bono Mack
     Boozman
     Boren
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Braley (IA)
     Bright
     Brown (SC)
     Brown, Corrine
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Burton (IN)
     Butterfield
     Calvert
     Camp
     Cao
     Capito
     Capps
     Cardoza
     Carnahan
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Cassidy
     Castle
     Castor (FL)
     Chandler
     Childers
     Chu
     Clarke
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly (VA)
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Costello
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Culberson
     Cummings
     Dahlkemper
     Davis (AL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (TN)
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     Dent
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Donnelly (IN)
     Driehaus
     Edwards (MD)
     Edwards (TX)
     Ehlers
     Ellison
     Ellsworth
     Emerson
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Fallin
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Fleming
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Frank (MA)
     Frelinghuysen
     Fudge
     Gallegly
     Gerlach
     Giffords
     Gohmert
     Gonzalez
     Gordon (TN)
     Graves
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Griffith
     Grijalva
     Guthrie
     Gutierrez
     Hall (NY)
     Hall (TX)
     Halvorson
     Hare
     Harman
     Hastings (FL)
     Heinrich
     Herseth Sandlin
     Higgins
     Hill
     Himes
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hirono
     Hodes
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Hunter
     Inslee
     Israel
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jenkins
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Jones
     Kagen
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick (MI)
     Kilroy
     Kind
     King (NY)
     Kirk
     Kirkpatrick (AZ)
     Kissell
     Klein (FL)
     Kosmas
     Kratovil
     Kucinich
     Lance
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Lee (CA)
     Lee (NY)
     Levin
     Lewis (GA)
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Loebsack
     Lofgren, Zoe
     Lowey
     Luetkemeyer
     Lujan
     Lungren, Daniel E.
     Lynch
     Maffei
     Maloney
     Manzullo
     Marchant
     Markey (CO)
     Markey (MA)
     Massa
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCaul
     McCollum
     McCotter
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McIntyre
     McKeon
     McMahon
     McNerney
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Melancon
     Michaud
     Miller (MI)
     Miller (NC)
     Miller, Gary
     Miller, George
     Minnick
     Mitchell
     Mollohan
     Moore (KS)
     Moore (WI)
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Murphy (CT)
     Murphy (NY)
     Murphy, Patrick
     Murphy, Tim
     Murtha
     Nadler (NY)
     Napolitano
     Neal (MA)
     Nunes
     Nye
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ortiz
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor (AZ)
     Paulsen
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Perriello
     Peters
     Peterson
     Petri
     Pingree (ME)
     Platts
     Poe (TX)
     Polis (CO)
     Pomeroy
     Price (NC)
     Putnam
     Quigley
     Rahall
     Rangel
     Rehberg
     Reichert
     Reyes
     Richardson
     Rodriguez
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Ross
     Rothman (NJ)
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Salazar
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schauer
     Schiff
     Schmidt
     Schock
     Schrader
     Schwartz
     Scott (GA)
     Scott (VA)
     Serrano
     Sestak
     Shea-Porter
     Sherman
     Shimkus
     Shuler
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Sires
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (WA)
     Snyder
     Souder
     Space
     Spratt
     Stearns
     Stupak
     Sutton
     Tanner
     Taylor
     Teague
     Terry
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thompson (PA)
     Tierney
     Titus
     Tonko
     Towns
     Tsongas
     Turner
     Upton
     Van Hollen
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walden
     Walz
     Wamp
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson
     Watt
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Welch
     Westmoreland
     Wexler
     Whitfield
     Wilson (OH)
     Wittman
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Yarmuth
     Young (AK)
     Young (FL)

                                NAYS--85

     Aderholt
     Akin
     Bachmann
     Bachus
     Bartlett
     Blackburn
     Blunt
     Boehner
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Broun (GA)
     Buchanan
     Burgess
     Buyer
     Campbell
     Cantor
     Carter
     Chaffetz
     Coble
     Coffman (CO)
     Cole
     Conaway
     Crenshaw
     Davis (KY)
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Flake
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Garrett (NJ)
     Gingrey (GA)
     Goodlatte
     Harper
     Hastings (WA)
     Heller
     Hensarling
     Herger
     Hoekstra
     Inglis
     Issa
     Johnson, Sam
     Jordan (OH)
     King (IA)
     Kingston
     Kline (MN)
     Lamborn
     Latta
     Lewis (CA)
     Linder
     Lucas
     Lummis
     Mack
     McCarthy (CA)
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McMorris Rodgers
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Myrick
     Neugebauer
     Olson
     Paul
     Pence
     Pitts
     Posey
     Price (GA)
     Radanovich
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Rooney
     Roskam
     Ryan (WI)
     Scalise
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (TX)
     Sullivan
     Thornberry
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Wilson (SC)
     Wolf

                             NOT VOTING--12

     Barrett (SC)
     Bishop (UT)
     Capuano
     Deal (GA)
     Delahunt
     Doyle
     Granger
     Marshall
     Royce
     Smith (NJ)
     Speier
     Stark


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). There are 2 minutes 
remaining in this vote.

                              {time}  1745

  Mr. BARTLETT and Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS changed their vote from 
``yea'' to ``nay.''
  Messrs. COHEN, GUTHRIE, FLEMING, STEARNS, BURTON of Indiana, 
LUETKEMEYER, BOOZMAN, and

[[Page 22460]]

BONNER changed their vote from ``nay to ``yea.''
  So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and 
the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________