[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13411-13424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
     SURFACE AND AIR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS EXTENSION ACT OF 2011

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2887) to provide an extension of surface and air transportation 
programs, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2887

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Surface 
     and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

         TITLE I--EXTENSION OF SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

Sec. 101. Short title.

                    Subtitle A--Federal-Aid Highways

Sec. 111. Extension of Federal-aid highway programs.
Sec. 112. Administrative expenses.

            Subtitle B--Extension of Highway Safety Programs

Sec. 121. Extension of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
              highway safety programs.
Sec. 122. Extension of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
              programs.
Sec. 123. Additional programs.

               Subtitle C--Public Transportation Programs

Sec. 131. Allocation of funds for planning programs.
Sec. 132. Special rule for urbanized area formula grants.
Sec. 133. Allocating amounts for capital investment grants.
Sec. 134. Apportionment of formula grants for other than urbanized 
              areas.
Sec. 135. Apportionment based on fixed guideway factors.
Sec. 136. Authorizations for public transportation.
Sec. 137. Amendments to SAFETEA-LU.

                Subtitle D--Highway Trust Fund Extension

Sec. 141. Extension of trust fund expenditure authority.
Sec. 142. Extension of highway-related taxes.

           TITLE II--EXTENSION OF AIR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Extension of taxes funding Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
Sec. 203. Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditure 
              authority.
Sec. 204. Extension of airport improvement program.
Sec. 205. Extension of expiring authorities.
Sec. 206. Federal Aviation Administration operations.
Sec. 207. Air navigation facilities and equipment.
Sec. 208. Research, engineering, and development.
Sec. 209. Essential Air Service.

         TITLE I--EXTENSION OF SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Surface Transportation 
     Extension Act of 2011, Part II''.

                    Subtitle A--Federal-Aid Highways

     SEC. 111. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in this title, 
     requirements, authorities, conditions, eligibilities, 
     limitations, and other provisions authorized under titles I, 
     V, and VI of SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59), the SAFETEA-LU 
     Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-244), 
     titles I and VI of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Act 
     of 1991 (Public Law 102-240), titles I and V of the 
     Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 
     105-178), and title 23, United States Code (excluding chapter 
     4 of that title), which would otherwise expire on or cease to 
     apply after September 30, 2011, under section 411(a) of the 
     Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 (title IV of 
     Public Law 111-147) are incorporated by reference and shall 
     continue in effect until March 31, 2012.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Except as provided in 
     section 112, there is authorized to be appropriated out of 
     the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) 
     for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on 
     March 31, 2012, a sum equal to \1/2\ of the total amount 
     authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund 
     for programs, projects, and activities for fiscal year 2011 
     under titles I, V, and VI of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1144) and 
     title 23, United States Code (excluding chapter 4 of that 
     title).
       (c) Use of Funds.--
       (1) Fiscal year 2012.--Except as otherwise expressly 
     provided in this title, funds authorized to be appropriated 
     under subsection (b) for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, shall be distributed, 
     administered, limited, and made available for obligation in 
     the same manner and at the same level as \1/2\ of the total 
     amount of funds authorized to be appropriated out of the 
     Highway Trust Fund for fiscal year 2011 to carry out 
     programs, projects, activities, eligibilities, and 
     requirements under SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59), the 
     SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-
     244), titles I and VI of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-240), titles I and 
     V of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
     (Public Law 105-178), and title 23, United States Code 
     (excluding chapter 4 of that title).
       (2) Calculation.--The amounts authorized to be appropriated 
     under subsection (b) shall be calculated taking into account 
     any rescission or cancellation of funds or contract authority 
     for fiscal year 2011 required by the Department of Defense 
     and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Public Law 
     112-10) or any other law.
       (3) Contract authority.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     funds authorized to be appropriated under this section shall 
     be available for obligation and shall be administered in the 
     same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 
     of title 23, United States Code, and for the period beginning 
     on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, shall be 
     subject to a limitation on obligations for Federal-aid 
     highways and highway safety construction programs included in 
     an Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2012 or a 
     portion of that fiscal year, except that during such period 
     obligations subject to such limitation shall not exceed \1/2\ 
     of the limitation on obligations included in an Act making 
     appropriations for fiscal year 2012.
       (B) Exceptions.--A limitation on obligations described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any obligation under--
       (i) section 125 of title 23, United States Code; or
       (ii) section 105 of title 23, United States Code, for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012, only in an amount equal to $319,500,000.
       (4) Calculations for distribution of obligation 
     limitation.--Upon enactment of an Act making appropriations 
     for the Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2012 
     (other than an Act or resolution making continuing 
     appropriations), the Secretary shall--
       (A) as necessary for purposes of making the calculations 
     for the distribution of any obligation limitation under such 
     Act, annualize the amount of contract authority provided 
     under this title for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, 
     and ending on March 31, 2012, for Federal-aid highways and 
     highway safety construction programs; and
       (B) multiply the resulting distribution of any obligation 
     limitation under such Act by \1/2\.
       (d) Extension and Flexibility for Certain Allocated 
     Programs.--
       (1) Fiscal year 2012.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012, the portion of the share of funds 
     of a State under subsection (b) determined by \1/2\ of the 
     amount that the State received or was authorized to receive 
     for fiscal year 2011 to carry out sections 1301, 1302, 1307, 
     1702, and 1934 of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1198, 1204, 1217, 
     1256, and 1485) and section 144(f)(1) of title 23, United 
     States Code, shall be--
       (A) made available to the State for programs apportioned 
     under sections 104(b) and 144 of title 23, United States 
     Code, and in the same proportion for each such program that--
       (i) the amount apportioned to the State for that program 
     for fiscal year 2011; bears to
       (ii) the amount apportioned to the State for fiscal year 
     2011 for all programs apportioned under such sections of such 
     Code; and
       (B) administered in the same manner and with the same 
     period of availability as such funding is administered under 
     programs identified in subparagraph (A), except that no funds 
     may be used to carry out the project described in section 
     1307(d)(1) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1217; 122 Stat. 1577).
       (2) Territories and puerto rico.--
       (A) Fiscal year 2012.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012, the portion of the share of funds 
     of a territory or Puerto Rico under subsection (b) determined 
     by \1/2\ of the amount that the territory or Puerto Rico 
     received or was authorized to receive for fiscal year 2011 to 
     carry out section 1934 of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1485), shall 
     be--
       (i) for a territory, made available and administered in the 
     same manner as funding is made available and administered 
     under section 215 of title 23, United States Code; and
       (ii) for Puerto Rico, made available and administered in 
     the same manner as funding is made available and administered 
     under section 165 of title 23, United States Code.

[[Page 13412]]

       (B) Territory defined.--In this paragraph, the term 
     ``territory'' means any of the following territories of the 
     United States: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the United States Virgin 
     Islands.
       (3) Additional funds.--
       (A) In general.--No additional funds shall be provided for 
     any project or activity under subsection (c), or paragraph 
     (1) of this subsection, that the Secretary of Transportation 
     determines was sufficiently funded before or during fiscal 
     year 2011 to achieve the authorized purpose of the project or 
     activity.
       (B) Reservation and redistribution of funds.--Funds made 
     available in accordance with paragraph (1) of subsection (c) 
     or paragraph (1) of this subsection for a project or activity 
     described in subparagraph (A) shall be--
       (i) reserved by the Secretary of Transportation; and
       (ii) distributed to each State in accordance with paragraph 
     (1) of subsection (c), or paragraph (1) of this subsection, 
     as appropriate, for use in carrying out other highway 
     projects and activities extended by subsection (c) or this 
     subsection, in the proportion that--

       (I) the total amount of funds made available for fiscal 
     year 2011 for projects and activities described in 
     subparagraph (A) in the State; bears to
       (II) the total amount of funds made available for fiscal 
     year 2011 for those projects and activities in all States.

       (e) Extension of Authorizations Under Title V of SAFETEA-
     LU.--
       (1) In general.--The programs authorized under paragraphs 
     (1) through (5) of section 5101(a) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 
     1779) shall be continued for the period beginning on October 
     1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, at \1/2\ of the 
     funding levels authorized for those programs for fiscal year 
     2011.
       (2) Distribution of funds.--Funds for programs continued 
     under paragraph (1) shall be distributed to major program 
     areas under those programs in the same proportions as funds 
     were allocated for those program areas for fiscal year 2011, 
     except that designations for specific activities shall not be 
     required to be continued for the period beginning on October 
     1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.
       (3) Additional funds.--
       (A) In general.--No additional funds shall be provided for 
     any project or activity under this subsection that the 
     Secretary of Transportation determines was sufficiently 
     funded before or during fiscal year 2011 to achieve the 
     authorized purpose of the project or activity.
       (B) Distribution.--Funds that would have been made 
     available under paragraph (1) for a project or activity but 
     for the prohibition under subparagraph (A) shall be 
     distributed in accordance with paragraph (2).

     SEC. 112. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       (a) Authorization of Contract Authority.--Notwithstanding 
     any other provision of this title or any other law, there is 
     authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund 
     (other than the Mass Transit Account), from amounts provided 
     under section 111, for administrative expenses of the 
     Federal-aid highway program $196,427,625 for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.
       (b) Contract Authority.--Funds authorized to be 
     appropriated by this section shall be--
       (1) available for obligation, and shall be administered, in 
     the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under 
     chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; and
       (2) subject to a limitation on obligations for Federal-aid 
     highways and highway safety construction programs, except 
     that such funds shall remain available until expended.

            Subtitle B--Extension of Highway Safety Programs

     SEC. 121. EXTENSION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY 
                   ADMINISTRATION HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS.

       (a) Chapter 4 Highway Safety Programs.--Section 2001(a)(1) 
     of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and 
     $235,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``$235,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $117,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012.''.
       (b) Highway Safety Research and Development.--Section 
     2001(a)(2) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by 
     striking ``and $108,244,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and 
     inserting ``$108,244,000 for fiscal year 2011, and 
     $54,122,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012.''.
       (c) Occupant Protection Incentive Grants.--
       (1) Extension of program.--Section 405(a) of title 23, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (3) by striking ``8'' and inserting ``9'';
       (B) in paragraph (4)(C) by striking ``fifth through 
     eighth'' and inserting ``fifth through ninth''.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(3) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and 
     $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $12,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012.''.
       (d) Safety Belt Performance Grants.--Section 2001(a)(4) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and 
     $124,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``$124,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $24,250,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012.''.
       (e) State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements.--
     Section 2001(a)(5) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended 
     by striking ``and $34,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and 
     inserting ``$34,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $17,250,000 
     for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on 
     March 31, 2012.''.
       (f) Alcohol-Impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive 
     Grant Program.--
       (1) Extension of program.--Section 410 of title 23, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)(3)(C) by striking ``in each of'' and 
     all that follows through ``fiscal years'' and inserting ``in 
     each of the fifth through eleventh fiscal years''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)(2)(C) by striking ``fiscal years 
     2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011'' and inserting ``each of fiscal 
     years 2008 through 2012''.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(6) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1519) is amended by striking ``and 
     $139,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``$139,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $69,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012.''.
       (g) National Driver Register.--Section 2001(a)(7) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and 
     $4,116,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting ``$4,116,000 
     for fiscal year 2011, and $2,058,000 for the period beginning 
     on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
       (h) High Visibility Enforcement Program.--
       (1) Extension of program.--Section 2009(a) of SAFETEA-LU 
     (23 U.S.C. 402 note) is amended by striking ``2011'' and 
     inserting ``2012''.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(8) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and 
     $29,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``$29,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $14,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012.''.
       (i) Motorcyclist Safety.--
       (1) Extension of program.--Section 2010(d)(1)(B) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 402 note) is amended by striking 
     ``fourth, fifth, and sixth'' and inserting ``fourth, fifth, 
     sixth, and seventh''.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(9) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and 
     $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting ``$7,000,000 
     for fiscal year 2011, and $3,500,000 for the period beginning 
     on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
       (j) Child Safety and Child Booster Seat Safety Incentive 
     Grants.--
       (1) Extension of program.--Section 2011(c)(2) of SAFETEA-LU 
     (23 U.S.C. 405 note) is amended by striking ``fourth, fifth, 
     and sixth fiscal years'' and inserting ``fourth, fifth, 
     sixth, and seventh fiscal years''.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 2001(a)(10) 
     of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and 
     $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting ``$7,000,000 
     for fiscal year 2011, and $3,500,000 for the period beginning 
     on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
       (k) Administrative Expenses.--Section 2001(a)(11) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``and 
     $25,328,000 for fiscal year 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``$25,328,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $12,664,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012.''.
       (l) Applicability of Title 23.--Section 2001(c) of SAFETEA-
     LU (119 Stat. 1520) is amended by striking ``2011'' and 
     inserting ``2012''.
       (m) Drug-Impaired Driving Enforcement.--Section 2013(f) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 403 note) is amended by striking 
     ``2011'' and inserting ``2012''.
       (n) Older Driver Safety; Law Enforcement Training.--Section 
     2017 of SAFETEA-LU is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1) (119 Stat. 1541), by striking 
     ``2011'' and inserting ``2012'' ; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(2) (23 U.S.C. 402 note), by striking 
     ``2011'' and inserting ``2012''.

     SEC. 122. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY 
                   ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) Motor Carrier Safety Grants.--Section 31104(a) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraphs (5) and 
     (6);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) $106,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
       (b) Administrative Expenses.--Section 31104(i)(1) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraphs (E) and 
     (F);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(H) $122,072,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
       (c) Grant Programs.--Section 4101(c) of SAFETEA-LU (119 
     Stat. 1715) is amended--

[[Page 13413]]

       (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``and $15,000,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012'' before the period at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``and $16,000,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012'' before the period at the end;
       (3) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``and $2,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012'' before the period at the end;
       (4) in paragraph (4) by inserting ``and $12,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012'' before the period at the end; and
       (5) in paragraph (5) by inserting ``and $1,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012'' before the period at the end.
       (d) High-Priority Activities.--Section 31104(k)(2) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2011'' and 
     inserting ``2011 and $7,500,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
       (e) New Entrant Audits.--Section 31144(g)(5)(B) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``fiscal 
     year'' inserting ``fiscal year and up to $14,500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''.
       (f) Outreach and Education.--Section 4127(e) of SAFETEA-LU 
     (119 Stat. 1741) is amended by striking ``2011'' and 
     inserting ``2011 (and $500,000 to the Federal Motor Carrier 
     Safety Administration, and $1,500,000 to the National Highway 
     Traffic Safety Administration, for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012)''.
       (g) Grant Program for Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators.--
     Section 4134(c) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1744) is amended by 
     striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and $500,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''.
       (h) Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.--Section 
     4144(d) of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1748) is amended by striking 
     ``September 30, 2011'' and inserting ``March 31, 2012''.
       (i) Working Group for Development of Practices and 
     Procedures to Enhance Federal-State Relations.--Section 
     4213(d) of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 14710 note; 119 Stat. 1759) 
     is amended by striking ``September 30, 2011'' and inserting 
     ``March 31, 2012''.

     SEC. 123. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS.

       (a) Hazardous Materials Research Projects.--Section 7131(c) 
     of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1910) is amended by striking 
     ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and $580,000 for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''.
       (b) Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act.--Section 4 
     of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     777c) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``2011,'' and inserting 
     ``2011 and for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
       (2) in the first sentence of subsection (b)(1)(A) by 
     striking ``2011,'' inserting ``2011 and for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''.

               Subtitle C--Public Transportation Programs

     SEC. 131. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR PLANNING PROGRAMS.

       Section 5305(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012''.

     SEC. 132. SPECIAL RULE FOR URBANIZED AREA FORMULA GRANTS.

       Section 5307(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting 
     ``Special rule for fiscal years 2005 through 2011 and the 
     period beginning on october 1, 2011, and ending on march 31, 
     2012.--'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``2011,'' and inserting 
     ``2011 and the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (E)--
       (A) by striking the subparagraph heading and inserting 
     ``Maximum amounts in fiscal years 2008 through 2011 and the 
     period beginning on october 1, 2011, and ending on march 31, 
     2012.--''; and
       (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking ``2011'' 
     and inserting ``2011 and during the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012''.

     SEC. 133. ALLOCATING AMOUNTS FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS.

       Section 5309(m) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting 
     ``Fiscal years 2006 through 2011 and the period beginning on 
     october 1, 2011, and ending on march 31, 2012.--'';
       (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking 
     ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking ``2011'' and 
     inserting ``2011 and $100,000,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (2) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``2011'' and inserting 
     ``2011 and $7,500,000 shall be available for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``2011'' and inserting 
     ``2011 and $2,500,000 shall be available for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''; and
       (3) in paragraph (7)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i)--

       (I) in the first sentence by striking ``2011'' and 
     inserting ``2011 and $5,000,000 shall be available for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''; and
       (II) in the second sentence by striking ``each fiscal 
     year'';

       (ii) in clause (i) by striking ``$2,500,000'' and inserting 
     ``$2,500,000 for each fiscal year and $1,250,000 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,'';
       (iii) in clause (ii) by striking ``$2,500,000'' and 
     inserting ``$2,500,000 for each fiscal year and $1,250,000 
     for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on 
     March 31, 2012,'';
       (iv) in clause (iii) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for 
     the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 
     31, 2012,'';
       (v) in clause (iv) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,'';
       (vi) in clause (v) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,'';
       (vii) in clause (vi) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$1,000,000 for each fiscal year and $500,000 for 
     the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 
     31, 2012,'';
       (viii) in clause (vii) by striking ``$650,000'' and 
     inserting ``$650,000 for each fiscal year and $325,000 for 
     the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 
     31, 2012,''; and
       (ix) in clause (viii) by striking ``$350,000'' and 
     inserting ``$350,000 for each fiscal year and $175,000 for 
     the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 
     31, 2012,'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(vii) $6,750,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.'';
       (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``fiscal year'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal year and during the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (D) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``fiscal year'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal year and not less than $17,500,000 shall 
     be available for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
       (E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``fiscal year'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal year and $1,500,000 shall be available for 
     the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 
     31, 2012,''.

     SEC. 134. APPORTIONMENT OF FORMULA GRANTS FOR OTHER THAN 
                   URBANIZED AREAS.

       Section 5311(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(G) $7,500,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.

     SEC. 135. APPORTIONMENT BASED ON FIXED GUIDEWAY FACTORS.

       Section 5337 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2012''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Special Rule for October 1, 2011, Through March 31, 
     2012.--The Secretary shall apportion amounts made available 
     for fixed guideway modernization under section 5309 for the 
     period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012, in accordance with subsection (a), except that the 
     Secretary shall apportion 50 percent of each dollar amount 
     specified in subsection (a).''.

     SEC. 136. AUTHORIZATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

       (a) Formula and Bus Grants.--Section 5338(b) of title 49, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
       (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(G) $4,180,282,500 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking `` and $113,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$113,500,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $56,750,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and $4,160,365,000 
     for fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$4,160,365,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011, and $2,080,182,500 for the period beginning 
     on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``and $51,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$51,500,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $25,750,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (D) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``and $1,666,500,000 
     for fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$1,666,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011, and

[[Page 13414]]

     $833,250,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``and $984,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$984,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $492,000,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (F) in subparagraph (F) by striking ``and $133,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$133,500,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $66,750,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (G) in subparagraph (G) by striking ``and $465,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$465,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $232,500,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (H) in subparagraph (H) by striking ``and $164,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$164,500,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $82,250,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (I) in subparagraph (I) by striking ``and $92,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$92,500,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $46,250,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (J) in subparagraph (J) by striking ``and $26,900,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$26,900,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $13,450,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (K) in subparagraph (K) by striking ``and $3,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$3,500,000 for fiscal year 
     2011, and $1,750,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (L) in subparagraph (L) by striking ``and $25,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$25,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $12,500,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,'';
       (M) in subparagraph (M) by striking ``and $465,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$465,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2011, and $232,500,000 for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''; and
       (N) in subparagraph (N) by striking ``and $8,800,000 for 
     fiscal year 2011'' and inserting ``$8,800,000 for fiscal year 
     2011, and $4,400,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
       (b) Capital Investment Grants.--Section 5338(c) of title 
     49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) $800,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.
       (c) Research and University Research Centers.--Section 
     5338(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``and $69,750,000 for fiscal year 2011'' and 
     inserting ``$69,750,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $29,500,000 
     for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on 
     March 31, 2012,'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking ``2011'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2012''; and
       (3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) Additional authorizations.--
       ``(A) October 1, 2011, through march 31, 2012.--Of amounts 
     authorized to be appropriated for the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall allocate for each of the 
     activities and projects described in subparagraphs (A) 
     through (F) of paragraph (1) an amount equal to 50 percent of 
     85 percent of the amount allocated for fiscal year 2009 under 
     each such subparagraph.
       ``(B) University centers program.--
       ``(i) October 1, 2011, through march 31, 2012.--Of the 
     amounts allocated under subparagraph (A)(i) for the 
     university centers program under section 5506 for the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, 
     the Secretary shall allocate for each program described in 
     clauses (i) through (iii) and (v) through (viii) of paragraph 
     (2)(A) an amount equal to 50 percent of 85 percent of the 
     amount allocated for fiscal year 2009 under each such clause.
       ``(ii) Funding.--If the Secretary determines that a project 
     or activity described in paragraph (2) received sufficient 
     funds in fiscal year 2011, or a previous fiscal year, to 
     carry out the purpose for which the project or activity was 
     authorized, the Secretary may not allocate any amounts under 
     clause (i) for the project or activity for fiscal year 2012, 
     or any subsequent fiscal year.''.
       (d) Administration.--Section 5338(e) of title 49, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) $49,455,500 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012.''.

     SEC. 137. AMENDMENTS TO SAFETEA-LU.

       (a) Contracted Paratransit Pilot.--Section 3009(i)(1) of 
     SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1572) is amended by striking ``2011,'' 
     and inserting ``2011 and the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
       (b) Public-Private Partnership Pilot Program.--Section 3011 
     of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 5309 note; 119 Stat. 1588) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(5) by striking ``2011'' and inserting 
     ``2011 and the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012''; and
       (2) in the second sentence of subsection (d) by striking 
     ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 2012,''.
       (c) Elderly Individuals and Individuals With Disabilities 
     Pilot Program.--Section 3012(b)(8) of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 
     5310 note; 119 Stat. 1593) is amended by striking ``September 
     30, 2011'' and inserting ``March 31, 2012''.
       (d) Obligation Ceiling.--Section 3040 of SAFETEA-LU (119 
     Stat. 1639) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) $5,059,238,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on March 31, 2012, of which not more than 
     $4,180,282,500 shall be from the Mass Transit Account.''.
       (e) Project Authorizations for New Fixed Guideway Capital 
     Projects.--Section 3043 of SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat. 1640) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2011 and the period 
     beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on March 31, 
     2012,''.
       (f) Allocations for National Research and Technology 
     Programs.--Section 3046 of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 5338 note; 
     119 Stat. 1706) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b) by striking ``fiscal year'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal year or period''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
       ``(c) Additional Appropriations.--The Secretary shall 
     allocate amounts appropriated pursuant to section 5338(d) of 
     title 49, United States Code, for national research and 
     technology programs under sections 5312, 5314, and 5322 of 
     such title--
       ``(1) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, in amounts 
     equal to the amounts allocated for fiscal year 2009 under 
     each of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), and (8) through (25) 
     of subsection (a); and
       ``(2) for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on March 31, 2012, in amounts equal to 50 percent of 
     85 percent of the amounts allocated for fiscal year 2009 
     under each of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), and (8) through 
     (25) of subsection (a).''; and
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking ``fiscal year 2010, or a previous fiscal 
     year'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2011, or a previous fiscal 
     year''; and
       (B) by striking ``fiscal year 2011, or any subsequent 
     fiscal year'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2012, or any 
     subsequent fiscal year''.

                Subtitle D--Highway Trust Fund Extension

     SEC. 141. EXTENSION OF TRUST FUND EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY.

       (a) Highway Trust Fund.--Section 9503 of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
       (1) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' in subsections 
     (b)(6)(B), (c)(1), and (e)(3) and inserting ``April 1, 
     2012'', and
       (2) by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 
     2011'' in subsections (c)(1) and (e)(3) and inserting 
     ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, Part II''.
       (b) Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.--Section 
     9504 of such Code is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 
     2011'' each place it appears in subsection (b)(2) and 
     inserting ``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, 
     Part II'', and
       (2) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' in subsection (d)(2) 
     and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
       (c) Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.--Paragraph 
     (2) of section 9508(e) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``October 1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

     SEC. 142. EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY-RELATED TAXES.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Each of the following provisions of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2011'' and inserting ``March 31, 2012'':
       (A) Section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii)(I).
       (B) Section 4041(m)(1)(B).
       (C) Section 4081(d)(1).
       (2) Each of the following provisions of such Code is 
     amended by striking ``October 1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 
     1, 2012'':
       (A) Section 4041(m)(1)(A).
       (B) Section 4051(c).
       (C) Section 4071(d).
       (D) Section 4081(d)(3).
       (b) Extension of Tax, etc., on Use of Certain Heavy 
     Vehicles.--Each of the following provisions of such Code is 
     amended by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2012'':

[[Page 13415]]

       (1) Section 4481(f).
       (2) Subsections (c)(4) and (d) of section 4482.
       (c) Floor Stocks Refunds.--Section 6412(a)(1) of such Code 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``April 1, 2012'',
       (2) by striking ``March 31, 2012'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2012'', and
       (3) by striking ``January 1, 2012'' and inserting ``July 1, 
     2012''.
       (d) Extension of Certain Exemptions.--Sections 4221(a) and 
     4483(i) of such Code are each amended by striking ``October 
     1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
       (e) Extension of Transfers of Certain Taxes.--
       (1) In general.--Section 9503 of such Code is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' each place it appears 
     in paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting ``April 1, 2012'',
       (ii) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' in the heading of 
     paragraph (2) and inserting ``April 1, 2012'',
       (iii) by striking ``September 30, 2011'' in paragraph (2) 
     and inserting ``March 31, 2012'', and
       (iv) by striking ``July 1, 2012'' in paragraph (2) and 
     inserting ``January 1, 2013'', and
       (B) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``July 1, 2012'' and 
     inserting ``January 1, 2013''.
       (2) Motorboat and small-engine fuel tax transfers.--
       (A) In general.--Paragraphs (3)(A)(i) and (4)(A) of section 
     9503(c) of such Code are each amended by striking ``October 
     1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 1, 2012''.
       (B) Conforming amendments to land and water conservation 
     fund.--
       (i) In general.--Section 201(b) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-11(b)) is 
     amended--

       (I) by striking ``October 1, 2012'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``April 1, 2013'', and
       (II) by striking ``October 1, 2011'' and inserting ``April 
     1, 2012''.

       (ii) Correction of cross references.--Section 201 of the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-
     11) is amended--

       (I) by striking ``section 9503(c)(4)(B) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1954 (relating to special motor fuels and 
     gasoline used in motorboats)'' in subsection (a) and 
     inserting ``section 9503(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986 (relating to transfer to Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund)'', and
       (II) by striking ``section 6412(a)(2)'' in subsection 
     (b)(2) and inserting ``section 6412''.

       (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

           TITLE II--EXTENSION OF AIR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Airport and Airway 
     Extension Act of 2011, Part V''.

     SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST 
                   FUND.

       (a) Fuel Taxes.--Subparagraph (B) of section 4081(d)(2) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 
     ``September 16, 2011'' and inserting ``January 31, 2012''.
       (b) Ticket Taxes.--
       (1) Persons.--Clause (ii) of section 4261(j)(1)(A) of such 
     Code is amended by striking ``September 16, 2011'' and 
     inserting ``January 31, 2012''.
       (2) Property.--Clause (ii) of section 4271(d)(1)(A) of such 
     Code is amended by striking ``September 16, 2011'' and 
     inserting ``January 31, 2012''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on September 17, 2011.

     SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND 
                   EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 9502(d) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
       (1) by striking ``September 17, 2011'' and inserting 
     ``February 1, 2012''; and
       (2) by inserting ``or the Airport and Airway Extension Act 
     of 2011, Part V'' before the semicolon at the end of 
     subparagraph (A).
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 9502(e) 
     of such Code is amended by striking ``September 17, 2011'' 
     and inserting ``February 1, 2012''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on September 17, 2011.

     SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--Section 48103 of title 49, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (7) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
       ``(8) $3,515,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(9) $1,181,270,492 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.
       (2) Obligation of amounts.--Subject to limitations 
     specified in advance in appropriation Acts, sums made 
     available for a portion of fiscal year 2012 pursuant to the 
     amendment made by paragraph (1) may be obligated at any time 
     through September 30, 2012, and shall remain available until 
     expended.
       (b) Project Grant Authority.--Section 47104(c) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``September 16, 2011,'' and 
     inserting ``January 31, 2012,''.

     SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Section 40117(l)(7) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``September 17, 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``February 1, 2012.''.
       (b) Section 41743(e)(2) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``and $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 
     through 2011'' and inserting ``$35,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2004 through 2011, and $2,016,393 for the portion of 
     fiscal year 2012 ending before February 1, 2012,''.
       (c) Section 44302(f)(1) of such title is amended--
       (1) by striking ``September 16, 2011,'' and inserting 
     ``January 31, 2012,''; and
       (2) by striking ``December 31, 2011,'' and inserting 
     ``April 30, 2012,''.
       (d) Section 44303(b) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``December 31, 2011,'' and inserting ``April 30, 2012,''.
       (e) Section 47107(s)(3) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``September 17, 2011.'' and inserting ``February 1, 
     2012.''.
       (f) Section 47115(j) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``fiscal years 2004 through 2010, and for the portion of 
     fiscal year 2011 ending before September 17, 2011,'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal years 2004 through 2011, and for the 
     portion of fiscal year 2012 ending before February 1, 
     2012,''.
       (g) Section 47141(f) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``September 16, 2011.'' and inserting ``January 31, 2012.''.
       (h) Section 49108 of such title is amended by striking 
     ``September 16, 2011,'' and inserting ``January 31, 2012,''.
       (i) Section 161 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation 
     Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 47109 note) is amended by 
     striking ``fiscal year 2009 or 2010, or in the portion of 
     fiscal year 2011 ending before September 17, 2011,'' and 
     inserting ``any of fiscal years 2009 through 2011, or in the 
     portion of fiscal year 2012 ending before February 1, 
     2012,''.
       (j) Section 186(d) of such Act (117 Stat. 2518) is amended 
     by striking ``October 1, 2010, and for the portion of fiscal 
     year 2011 ending before September 17, 2011,'' and inserting 
     ``October 1, 2011, and for the portion of fiscal year 2012 
     ending before February 1, 2012,''.
       (k) Section 409(d) of such Act (49 U.S.C. 41731 note) is 
     amended by striking ``September 30, 2011.'' and inserting 
     ``January 31, 2012.''.

     SEC. 206. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS.

       Section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (F) by striking ``2010.'' and inserting 
     ``2010;''; and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
       ``(G) $9,514,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(H) $3,197,315,080 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.

     SEC. 207. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.

       Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (5) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (6) by striking ``2010.'' and inserting 
     ``2010;''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) $2,731,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(8) $917,704,544 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.

     SEC. 208. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (13) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (14) by striking ``2010.'' and inserting 
     ``2010;''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(15) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(16) $57,016,885 for the period beginning on October 1, 
     2011, and ending on January 31, 2012.''.

     SEC. 209. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.

       Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``there is authorized to be appropriated 
     $77,000,000 for each fiscal year'' and inserting ``there is 
     authorized to be appropriated out of the Airport and Airway 
     Trust Fund (established under section 9502 of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and 
     $50,309,016 for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and 
     ending on January 31, 2012,''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mica) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 2887.

[[Page 13416]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MICA. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we are here today to extend once again authorization for 
the Federal Aviation Administration and for our Nation's 
transportation, highway, and transit programs.
  Unfortunately, these are extensions that have been piled upon 
extensions for both of these programs. And while the legislation before 
us is important and it signifies a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to 
move forward, it must not be just a temporary bandaid for our important 
aviation, highway, rail, and safety programs, and for future job 
creation for our Nation.
  To build our Nation's infrastructure and to really put people to 
work, we need long-term reauthorizations for these programs. 
Unfortunately, this bill is the 22nd FAA extension and the eighth 
surface transportation extension. Congress, unfortunately, has delayed 
passing a long-term FAA reauthorization for over 4 years, and a surface 
transportation bill has lagged for some 2 years. This action today 
represents a last chance to roll up our sleeves and get transportation 
projects moving forward in America again.
  A couple of comments about this legislation.
  H.R. 2887 is a clean 6-month extension for surface transportation 
programs, and it's also a clean 4-month extension for aviation 
programs. The extension's funding levels are consistent with the Full-
Year Continuing Appropriations Act, our CR passed by Congress in April 
of this year.
  For surface transportation, the bill authorizes $19.9 billion for 
highway, $660 million for highway safety, and $5.1 billion for transit, 
for a total of $25.6 billion. That's just for the 6-month period. While 
I would like to do a 6-year bill, our intention with this action today 
is to remain firmly committed to the commitment to do a 6-year 
transportation bill.
  This is a 6-month extension. Why 6 months? Because our States and our 
other entities that depend on a reliable funding partner must have some 
certainty. When we did the CR--which expires in just a few weeks here--
we were able to extend, on the seventh extension, our transportation 
programs until the end of this month. So we think this is being good 
stewards and responsible, again, in extending for 6 months a period in 
which there can be some stability in these important transportation 
projects, and also to make certain that jobs and employment in this 
area move forward.
  In July, I released a transportation reauthorization proposal. This 
was an outline. We've been working with our Democrat colleagues in a 
bipartisan fashion since that time to actually craft language which is 
acceptable to set forth the policy and the funding schedule, all of the 
authorization that's so important to keep our Nation's infrastructure 
projects moving forward. So this should give us enough time to complete 
that process and get that legislation before us. With unemployment in 
the construction industry at record-high levels, it's imperative that 
we also provide this time.
  Let me talk about FAA for a minute. This bill does authorize funds 
through the end of January for FAA. This is a list of extensions of 
FAA. I had the opportunity, as the chairman of the Aviation 
Subcommittee, in 2003 to craft a 4-year FAA bill, which expired in 
2007. So I helped write the last FAA 4-year authorization that expired 
in 2007. Here are the extensions.
  The Democrats controlled the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
Here, if you start in when you had the Obama administration take over, 
they also controlled the White House, the House, and the Senate. And we 
get down to the 17th extension under Democrat control, and I have 
agreed to three of them. I said enough is enough, and we must move 
forward with a long-term authorization. I stand before you today and 
say that, while the measures that we took in the last extension for FAA 
were somewhat extraordinary, this situation demands attention and 
action for long-term legislation by the United States Congress, and I'm 
going to make certain that we do everything to see that people are 
working in this industry and that we meet our responsibility for 
setting the policy for one of the most important industries in the 
United States, our aviation industry.
  So this is the history of what has taken place. This is the 22nd 
extension, and I can guarantee it will be the last extension because we 
must and we will pass a 4-year authorization. While there are some 
issues that remain to be resolved, we will continue working in a 
bipartisan manner. We passed legislation from the House. I look forward 
to working with Senator Rockefeller and others, Kay Bailey Hutchison, 
the ranking Republican in the Senate, Mr. Costello and Mr. Rahall, to 
get this legislation done.
  I urge my colleagues to support these two extensions rolled into one, 
H.R. 2887.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                               Washington, DC, September 13, 2011.
     Hon. John Mica,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Mica: I am writing concerning H.R. 2887, the 
     ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 
     2011,'' which is scheduled for floor consideration today.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdiction over the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as 
     amended (IRC). Sections 141 and 142 of this bill amend the 
     IRC by extending the current Highway Trust Fund expenditure 
     authority and the associated Federal excise taxes to March 
     31, 2012. Section 141 also amends the IRC by extending the 
     Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund excise tax to 
     March 31, 2012. Similarly, Sections 202 and 203 of this bill 
     amend the IRC by extending the current Airport and Airway 
     Trust Fund expenditure authority and the associated Federal 
     excise taxes to January 31, 2012. In order to expedite H.R. 
     2887 for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action 
     on the bill. This is being done with the understanding that 
     it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect 
     to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional 
     prerogatives on this or similar legislation.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 2887, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during Floor 
     consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Dave Camp,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                               Washington, DC, September 13, 2011.
     Hon. Dave Camp,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Longworth House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     2887, the ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension 
     Act of 2011.'' The Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure recognizes the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     a jurisdictional interest in H.R. 2887, and I appreciate your 
     effort to facilitate consideration of this bill.
       I concur with you that forgoing action on H.R. 2887 does 
     not in any way prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with 
     respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or 
     similar legislation in the future, and I would support your 
     effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of 
     conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this 
     legislation.
       I, or my designee, will include our letters on H.R. 2887 in 
     the Congressional Record during House Floor consideration of 
     the bill. Again, I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation, and I look forward to working with the Committee 
     on Ways and Means as the bill moves through the legislative 
     process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     John L. Mica,
                                                         Chairman.

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation 
Programs Extension Act of 2011. In this regard, I do commend the Senate 
and House leadership for arriving at an agreement late Friday afternoon 
on an extension of our Nation's surface transportation programs through 
March 31, 2012, and the programs under the FAA through January 31, 
2012, at the current funding levels and without any adverse policy 
riders.
  I commend our chairman, Mr. Mica; the subcommittee chair, Mr. Duncan,

[[Page 13417]]

on Surface; the Air Subcommittee chair, Mr. Petri; and our ranking 
subcommittee members, Mr. Costello on Aviation and Mr. DeFazio on 
Surface.
  Extending these programs is critical to our economic recovery. And 
the pending measure does so without any of the poison pills of the past 
or draconian cuts to investment in our surface transportation programs. 
Failure to extend the surface transportation programs could shut down 
more than 134,000 active highway and bridge projects and over 5,000 
active transit projects, jeopardizing the jobs of more than 1 million 
private-sector American jobs over the next year.
  The funding levels in the pending measure are far more preferable 
than what we are seeing proposed by Republicans on the Appropriations 
Committee. Just last week, they rolled out a fiscal year 2012 
Transportation appropriations bill which proposes to slash highway and 
transit investment, destroying more than 600,000 good paying, private-
sector American jobs, jobs that would be lost in every State of the 
Union.
  I cannot support these dangerous and draconian cuts to investments in 
America's future. To keep pace with India, China, and our other 
international competitors, we need to invest more, not less in 
America's future. If we stop investing in the future, there is simply 
no way we can retire the debt of the past.
  It is my hope that with this 6-month extension of highway, highway 
safety, and transit programs, we can come together and work to develop 
a long-term, robust Surface Transportation authorization bill that 
keeps the Nation economically competitive, meets the demands of the 
21st century, and creates millions of family-wage American jobs.

                              {time}  1240

  The pending measure also provides for a clear extension in the 
Nation's aviation programs under the FAA. Our aviation system is 
slightly more than a month into its recovery from the shock, the shock 
of a Republican-led FAA shutdown for 2 weeks in July and August; and 
I'm pleased that my Republican friends have chosen not to force another 
shutdown. I trust they recognize the damage that was caused to our 
Nation's aviation system and the financial hardship placed on working-
class families across the country when they chose to force a policy 
rider into an otherwise clean extension in July and caused a senseless 
2-week shutdown of major parts of the FAA.
  Pending the enactment of a long-term bill, and I join our chairman in 
our desire to see such passed, this short-term extension is the 
responsible path forward. It will avert more damage to the aviation 
system and the economy.
  With that said, what we should be doing is completing the conference 
committee on the long-term FAA reauthorization bill. Three months ago, 
House and Senate negotiators informally narrowed down the list of 
differences between the two Chambers to just a few. The Senate 
appointed conferees over 5 months ago, yet the House has not followed 
suit. So let us finish a long-term reauthorization and show the 
American people that Congress puts planes and passengers before 
politics.
  I urge support of the pending measure, and I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. MICA. I yield myself 1 minute.
  Again, I enjoy working with the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, and just 
wanted to comment on his discussion of the FAA shutdown.
  Just for the record, the facts are that the House of Representatives, 
in a bipartisan vote, passed an FAA extension on July 20, 3 days prior 
to the deadline, July 22, 2011.
  Fact: the FAA extension contained reductions in thousand-dollar-plus 
airline pork subsidies affecting only three airports. The language that 
we adopted from the Senate affected 10 airports within 90 miles.
  The Senate Democrats, after 2 weeks of forcing a partial FAA 
shutdown, meekly went to the Senate floor and, in 71 seconds, passed 
the House extension that was available.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. MICA. I yield myself 15 additional seconds.
  The fact is that only pork ticket subsidies were excluded.
  The fact is that the Democrats controlled the United States House and 
Senate for 4 years, letting FAA authorization expire in 2007, forcing 
17 extensions, and even with the Presidency from 2009 until the 
beginning of this year were unable to pass FAA legislation.
  I yield 3 minutes to the chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri).
  Mr. PETRI. I thank my chairman.
  I rise in support of the bill before us, H.R. 2887, the Surface and 
Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.
  House and Senate negotiators have worked for the last 5 months to 
resolve the issues between the House and the Senate on the long-term 
FAA reauthorization bills. We're seeking this extension to allow time 
for us to complete negotiations on the final multi-year bill. We need 
to get a long-term FAA bill done so that the agency and airports can 
more efficiently plan and carry out programs and projects.
  The bill before us, H.R. 2887, is a clean 4-month extension of the 
Federal Aviation Administration's taxes and programmatic authorities. 
The extension will provide resources for the safe operation of the 
National Airspace System and for the continued certification services 
of the Federal Aviation Administration.
  The bill also authorizes funding for the Airport Improvement Program 
which, together with the surface transportation programs extended in 
the bill, authorizes critical funding for important infrastructure 
construction projects that will help preserve and create much-needed 
jobs.
  I also want to express my support for the extension of our surface 
transportation programs. We must continue to fund critical highway, 
bridge and other projects across our country in order to have the 
transportation network necessary for economic growth and our global 
competitiveness. The extension we have proposed is a sensible way 
forward, and I join Chairman Mica in urging my colleagues to support 
this legislation.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to our distinguished 
subcommittee ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Costello).
  Mr. COSTELLO. I thank the ranking member for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation before us today. 
The legislation is a clean extension of the FAA bill and also takes the 
authorization through the extension through January 31 of 2012.
  In February of this year, the Senate passed a bipartisan 
comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill by a vote of 87-8. By contrast, 
in April the House approved an extension that was very controversial, 
and it was a bill that was passed on a party-line vote. In fact, the 
House-passed bill passed by the narrowest vote margin for a House FAA 
authorization bill in almost 30 years.
  I said at the time that the poison pill provision that was put in the 
bill by the majority would prevent the bill from passing both the House 
and the Senate and being signed into law by the President. And, in 
fact, the White House said that they would veto the legislation with 
the poison pill provision. So we knew at that point that the 
reauthorization bill was not going anywhere with that provision in the 
bill.
  It's been 5 months since the other body invited the House leadership 
to appoint conferees and sit down at the table with Senate conferees 
to, in fact, try and work out an agreement between the House and the 
Senate. In July of this year, instead of passing a clean FAA extension, 
the Republican leadership put a poison pill provision in that extension 
that led to a shutdown of the FAA for almost 2 weeks, costing the FAA 
more than $400 million in lost revenue in that 2-week period. I'm 
pleased that the House leadership stepped in, brought a clean extension 
to the floor today.

[[Page 13418]]

  The American people are tired of all the games. They're tired of all 
the one side blaming the other side. They want reasonable people to 
come together, in this body and in the Senate, to act reasonably and do 
the right thing.
  The Senate has appointed their conferees. We should appoint--the 
Republican leadership in the House should appoint conferees in this 
body immediately so that we, in fact, can get a long-term authorization 
bill. Let's stop the games. Let's appoint conferees so that we can pass 
a comprehensive reauthorization bill now.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air 
Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.'' This bill contains a 
``clean'' extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) 
authority to spend from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to carry 
out airport improvement projects at current funding levels through 
January 31, 2012.
  In February, the Senate approved a bipartisan comprehensive FAA 
reauthorization bill by a wide 87-to-8-vote margin. By contrast, in 
April the House approved an extremely controversial FAA reauthorization 
bill by a party-line vote. The House bill, in fact, garnered the 
narrowest vote margin for a House FAA reauthorization bill in almost 30 
years, and the White House has threatened to veto it.
  Since the House FAA reauthorization bill was introduced, I, and 
several House Republicans, have warned that it contains a number of 
controversial ``poison pill'' provisions that seriously jeopardize the 
enactment of a long-term bill this year. It is now clear that we were 
absolutely right.
  It has been five months since the Senate invited House Republicans to 
join them at the bargaining table, appoint conferees, and complete work 
on a long-term FAA reauthorization. Yet Republican gamesmanship and 
insistence on poison pill provisions have so far led to an FAA shutdown 
and a complete failure to enact long-term, job-creating legislation.
  In July, the House Republicans attached an objectionable policy rider 
on rural air service cuts to the short-term FAA extension. The policy 
rider was included as a ``tool'' to pressure Senate Democrats into 
giving into Republicans'' assault on collective-bargaining rights in a 
long-term reauthorization bill.
  My Republican colleagues' strategy backfired, however, and resulted 
in a shutdown of the FAA for two weeks. In those two weeks, the 
shutdown cost the Nation almost $400 million in lost revenue--more than 
20 times the amount of money that, according to House Republicans, 
their policy rider would have saved over the course of an entire year. 
Tens of thousands of American jobs were jeopardized. The Nation cannot 
afford the cost and burden of a repeat performance, so I will support 
this clean four-month FAA extension.
  However, I am very concerned about the events leading up to the 
introduction of this extension. Immediately following last month's 
disastrous FAA shutdown, House Republicans issued a defiant press 
release threatening to use new ``tools'' to coerce Senate Democrats. 
Yet, there have been no discussions or negotiations with the Senate 
since the shutdown, and House Republicans still refuse to appoint 
conferees to complete a long-term bill.
  Late last week, Chairman Mica was quoted by reporters stating there 
would be a ``new twist'' in the FAA extension. Then on Friday, the 
press reported that House Republicans would introduce another ``go it 
alone'' FAA extension bill with across-the-board-cuts to FAA programs. 
But on Friday night, House Republicans backed off their plan and made 
public a new clean highway and FAA extension.
  Mr. Speaker, House Republicans just don't get it. The American public 
is sick and tired of grandstanding and games. Nobody wants to see any 
more new twists in reauthorizing the FAA. The House Republicans have 
failed to enact a long-term FAA reauthorization bill this year, they 
have refused to appoint conferees and move the process forward, and 
they have nobody to blame but themselves for their failure.
  While I support this four-month extension, I now believe that 
Congress should consider a long-term one year extension of FAA 
programs. I have said before, and I will say again, that serial 
extensions are creating uncertainty in the construction industry and 
costing us jobs. And now Republican political gamesmanship is creating 
new instability that is hurting the economy.
  For the meantime, with these reservations, I support this extension 
in the interest of keeping hard-working Americans at work and 
preventing another shutdown.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air 
Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011.''
  Mr. MICA. I yield myself 1 minute.
  Again, I think it's important that we pass this bipartisan extension. 
We wouldn't be here passing a combination of the transportation, 
highway, transit and FAA extensions if we hadn't taken action that was 
extraordinary. There was more than sufficient time for the Senate to 
act.
  Again, and I will submit this as part of the Record, the Democrats 
had complete control of the House and Senate in extraordinary 
majorities and never passed a bill, never appointed conferees. We have 
only had this responsibility since the beginning of this year, and we 
will pass a long-term bill and take whatever action is necessary to do 
that.
  Today we are moving the process forward, and I applaud leadership on 
both sides of the aisle, bipartisan, bicameral.

                                                                     FAA EXTENSIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Democrat or Republican                                                                                                          Signed into
    No.              House                 Congress              Time period              Duration         Passed House    Passed Senate        law
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-92).....  10/1/2007-11/16/2007.  2.5 months...........       9/26/2007       9/27/2007       9/29/2007
2           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-116)....  11/17/2007-12/14/2007  1 month..............       11/8/2007       11/8/2007      11/13/2007
3           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-137)....  12/15/2007-12/21/2007  1 week...............      12/13/2007      12/13/2007      12/14/2007
4           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-149)....  12/22/2007-12/26/2007  1 week...............      12/19/2007      12/19/2007      12/21/2007
5           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-161)....  12/26/2007-2/29/2008.  2 months.............       6/22/2007        9/6/2007      12/26/2007
6           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-190)....  3/1/2008-6/30/2008...  4 months.............       2/12/2008       2/13/2008       2/28/2008
7           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-253)....  7/1/2008-9/30/2008...  3 months.............       6/24/2008       6/26/2008       6/30/2008
8           Democrat..............  110th (PL 110-330)....  10/1/2008-3/31/2009..  6 months.............       9/22/2008       9/23/2008       9/30/2008
9           Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-12).....  4/1/2009-9/30/2009...  6 months.............       3/18/2009       3/18/2009       3/30/2009
10          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-69).....  10/1/2009-12/31/2009.  3 months.............       9/23/2009       9/24/2009       10/1/2009
11          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-116)....  1/1/2010-3/31/2010...  3 months.............       12/8/2009      12/10/2009      12/16/2009
12          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-153)....  4/1/2010-4/30/2010...  1 month..............       3/25/2010       3/26/2010       3/31/2010
13          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-161)....  5/1/2010-7/3/2010....  2 months.............       4/28/2010       4/28/2010       4/30/2010
14          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-197)....  7/4/2010-8/1/2010....  1 month..............       6/29/2010       6/30/2010        7/2/2010
15          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-216)....  8/2/2010-9/30/2010...  2 months.............       7/29/2010       7/30/2010        8/1/2010
16          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-249)....  10/1/2010-12/31/2010.  3 months.............       9/23/2010       9/24/2010       9/30/2010
17          Democrat..............  111th (PL 111-329)....  1/1/2011-3/31/2011...  3 months.............       12/2/2010      12/18/2010      12/22/2010
18          Republican............  112th (PL 112-7)......  4/1/2011-5/31/2011...  2 months.............       3/29/2011       3/29/2011       3/31/2011
19          Republican............  112th (PL 112-16).....  6/1/2011-6/30/2011...  1 month..............       5/23/2011       5/24/2011       5/31/2011
20          Republican............  112th (PL 112-21).....  7/1/2011-7/22/2011...  3 weeks..............       6/24/2011       6/27/2011       6/29/2011
21          Republican............  112th (PL 112-27).....  7/23/2011-9/16/2011..  2 months.............       7/20/2011        8/5/2011        8/5/2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  I would like to now yield 4 minutes to the ranking member of our 
Surface Transportation Subcommittee, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Duncan).
  Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. I thank Chairman Mica for yielding me this 
time and for his and Ranking Member Rahall's outstanding work on this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2887 extends the surface transportation programs 
for another 6 months, from October 1 through March 31 of 2012, and the 
aviation programs for another 4 months, from October 1 through January 
31 of 2012, at funding levels consistent with the full-year continuing 
resolution passed last April.

                              {time}  1250

  This extension is considered clean and no policy provisions were 
added. During this 6-month Surface Transportation extension, Congress 
will work hard to pass the committee's 6-year Surface Transportation 
reauthorization bill. The outline of the committee's proposal was 
unveiled in June and

[[Page 13419]]

makes much-needed reforms to our highway transit and highway safety 
programs.
  The committee's proposal will streamline the project delivery 
process, consolidate existing programs, and better leverage existing 
revenues in the highway trust fund. According to the Federal Highway 
Administration, the project delivery process can take up to 15 years 
from planning through construction. This is government at its worst.
  Limited financial resources for transportation and infrastructure can 
be more effectively utilized by accelerating the process for project 
approval. While project reviews are necessary to help protect the 
environment, a more reasonable process is essential to maximizing our 
taxpayer dollars.
  Additionally, the bill consolidates existing programs that are 
duplicative and do not serve a Federal interest. Consolidation in our 
6-year bill will help States allocate their Federal resources to 
projects and activities that are the most needed. These programatic 
reforms will devolve the decisionmaking authority to State and local 
authorities, giving the State and local people more control over these 
important projects.
  If Congress moves this landmark piece of legislation before the 
spring, as we all hope, it will be considered the signature jobs bill 
that Americans have been waiting for this Congress to pass. It will 
create millions of jobs for hardworking Americans right here in the 
United States--not in China or India or other countries--and will leave 
a lasting legacy of tangible improvements to our transportation 
infrastructure in this country. By passing a long-term reauthorization 
bill, Americans will be able to see their tax dollars going towards 
rebuilding and strengthening our Nation's highways, bridges, and 
transit systems.
  Mr. Speaker, I also had the privilege to chair the Aviation 
Subcommittee for 6 years. A strong and efficient aviation system is 
vital to our economy, and I am pleased that we are also extending our 
air transportation programs in this bill. I hope we will soon pass our 
traditional multiyear FAA bill, too.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this piece of legislation and work 
towards passing a long-term reauthorization bill for both our surface 
transportation programs and our air transportation programs.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
ranking member of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee, the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).
  Mr. DeFAZIO. The best way to put America back to work is to invest in 
the underpinnings of our economy: roads, bridges, highways, transit, 
rail, our ports, our airports. These things serve the private sector 
and make us more productive and more competitive in the world economy.
  Unfortunately, at the current levels of investment, we're not even 
keeping up with our mid-20th century surface transportation system. 
Just think before the interstate highways what a disconnected country 
this was. And guess what? We're headed back there.
  We are not investing enough to maintain the Eisenhower legacy of the 
National Highway System. We have 150,000 bridges that need replacement 
or repair; 40 percent of the pavement needs not just resurfacing but 
underlayment, a $70 billion backlog on our aged transit systems. And 
that's just to give us an updated and state of good repair, 20th 
century transportation infrastructure. We need a 21st century 
transportation infrastructure, which is going to require more 
investment.
  And for the life of me, I don't get it on that side of the aisle. 
You've got this guy over there, the Republican Leader Cantor. He says, 
well, we might take the tax cuts with Obama. Those return almost 80 
cents on every dollar borrowed. But, oh, that other stuff, spending 
money, that's like stimulus. Building bridges, repairing highways, 
repairing and building transit systems, having a new 21st century 
system for our planes to navigate more efficiently in the sky with 
fewer delays and less fuel consumed, that is bad according to Eric 
Cantor. But no, the tax cuts, oh, yeah, we're for tax cuts. We'll give 
the people their money back and then they'll take care of those 
problems. We'll pass the hat to rebuild the bridges and the transit 
systems. We'll pass the hat to have a new aviation system for 
navigation.
  Come on. Are we a great Nation or not? Are we going to give up? Are 
we just going to keep pretending, give the money back to the job 
creators. I haven't seen the job creators build a national highway 
system lately.
  Now, the private sector does all of these projects. You'll say, well, 
the government can't make jobs. You're right. This is taxpayer-invested 
money designated by the government to needed investment done by lowest 
competitive bid by competent private contractors.
  Millions of jobs are on the table, and not just in construction. 
You're talking about construction equipment. You're talking about 
sophisticated avionics. You're talking about transit vehicles that have 
electronics and motor drives and everything that all come from 
manufacturing. And we have the strongest buy America provisions of any 
part of the Federal Government for transportation investment.
  So we're not going to hemorrhage this money to China like the tax 
cuts will for cheap junk bought from China. No. This will create jobs 
here at home. The American people get it. We get it on our side of the 
aisle. It's time for the leadership on the Republican side of the aisle 
to get it, too.
  Mr. MICA. I yield myself 30 seconds.
  Again, just to deal with facts and reality, I think Mr. Cantor, 
myself, and others on the Republican side support transportation, 
building the country's infrastructure and jobs. But we have to look at 
what took place.
  Of a $787 billion stimulus bill, only $63 billion, 7 percent, went 
for infrastructure. Now, the proposal this week is up to 12 percent of 
$450 billion. Eighty-one percent of the stimulus transportation 
projects were temporary, created temporary jobs for repaving sidewalks 
and short-term projects, and less than one-half of 1 percent of the 
stimulus money went for new construction.
  I am pleased to yield at this time, if I may, 2 minutes to the chair 
of the Rail Subcommittee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Shuster).
  Mr. SHUSTER. Where was the outrage when they passed the stimulus 
bill, as the chairman pointed out, that only 60-some billion dollars 
went to the highways and infrastructure of this country? That's when 
the outrage should have been put forth.
  Where was the outrage on that side? There were more than just one of 
you over there. You should have stood up and you should have said right 
then and right there, as I did to the former chairman, I said, This is 
going to mess up a long-range highway bill. They're going to take that 
money and they're going to squander it.
  We could have done half of a stimulus bill, put most of the money 
into the infrastructure of this country, and we wouldn't be sitting 
here today hearing this outrage on the House floor.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will remind the Members that 
remarks in debate must be addressed to the Chair and not to other 
Members in the second person.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Let's move forward with a bill that's within our means.
  Once again, I want to remind my friends on the other side, you had 
both bodies and the White House for 2 years. Where was the bill? There 
was no bill. Where were the jobs? There are no jobs.
  I just would remind my colleagues we are borrowing 40 cents on every 
dollar this government spends. We've got to live within our means. And 
I'm willing to suggest that the bill that the chairman and our side is 
crafting is going to streamline this. We do have less money. There's no 
doubt about it. I'd like to see more money. We've got to find different 
revenue sources. But taxing the American people in economic downtime is 
not the right time to do it.
  We can take that $230 billion or $240 billion going into the trust 
fund and by

[[Page 13420]]

streamlining and by taking all of these other programs that don't do 
anything to rebuild our roads and increase our capacity, take them off 
the table and let's focus on what we need to do, and that's build roads 
and bridges in this country.
  So, again, I remind my colleagues, let's direct the outrage where 
it's due, and that's in a failed stimulus bill.
  Again, I do rise today to support H.R. 2887, the surface and air 
transportation program. It's a clean extension for 3 months and 6 
months. I think it's extremely important that this moves forward so 
that we don't stop the important bridge and road jobs and, of course, 
the safety programs and commerce that moves safely through the air. I 
think that's extremely important.
  So again, I intended to stand up and speak more about these two 
bills, but again, when I hear this outrage, I want to make sure that 
there is outrage on our side about what's happened in this Congress 
over the last 4 years.

                              {time}  1300

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
ranking member on our Economic Development Subcommittee, the gentlelady 
from the District of Columbia, Eleanor Holmes Norton.
  Ms. NORTON. I thank the ranking member for yielding. I thank the 
chairman for coming forward with this bill.
  Enough of the outrage on both sides--if I may remind us all that 
that's precisely what the American people told us during recess they 
didn't want to hear.
  I do want to correct one error that the prior gentleman just made: 
That there were no jobs in the American Recovery Act. There were 3 
million jobs created or saved by the American Recovery Act; and if 
there had been more funds in that Act, we wouldn't be here today with 
the American Jobs Act trying to get more money to avoid a double-dip 
recession. This bill is not what the American people deserve, and I 
apologize to them that we have had to lower our standards, but it does 
save us from another jobs catastrophe like the one we experienced in 
July.
  It saves a million transportation jobs. Imagine furloughing that many 
people if this bill, the Surface Transportation bill, were to run out 
on the 31st of this month. Both FAA and transportation authorizations 
are very short term, but both are clean. Both are about yesterday's 
business--about yesterday's airports because there is not enough money 
to bring us into the 21st century, and they're about yesterday's 
surface transportation infrastructure.
  Yet it's hard to think of bills that would be on this floor during 
this time that would be carrying such a burden to get so much done at 
one time. At this moment, this bill is carrying the jobs burden all by 
itself--a million jobs in surface transportation with at least 100,000 
jobs at the airports. It's allowing the modernization of air 
transportation infrastructure to continue, which is what we lost when 
there was a 2-week furlough, and it's keeping our infrastructure from 
further deteriorating.
  It's not what we deserve. You don't always get what you deserve, and 
we've got to fight to make sure the American people get just that.
  Mr. MICA. I would like to yield 1\3/4\ minutes to one of our vice 
chairs, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hanna).
  Mr. HANNA. I thank the chairman for yielding.
  I am pleased to speak in favor of this bipartisan, bicameral deal to 
extend the two important transportation programs at current funding 
levels.
  The 4-month extension of FAA programs will allow us enough time to 
iron out the final details of a long-term reauthorization. As a pilot 
myself, I know firsthand the benefits and efficiencies this will bring 
to our airports and airways as well as to our out-of-date air traffic 
control system. I am particularly pleased to be extending the highway 
and transit program for 6 months in order to ensure we have adequate 
time to pass the chairman and the committee's long-term plan.
  New York and the country need long-term certainty and a steady stream 
of funding. We have spent too much time focusing on so-called ``shovel 
ready'' projects with little or no lasting economic or employment 
benefits.
  I look forward to working over the next 6 months to pass a long-term 
reauthorization that will empower States to take on major projects, 
including bridge replacements, highway interchange improvements, and 
investments in our Nation's transit systems, as well as those in 
upstate New York. These are the types of projects that have the 
potential to provide jobs for years to come and to grow our economy in 
the long term.
  Mr. RAHALL. May I have a time check, please, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from West Virginia has 9 
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Florida has 1\1/4\ minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. RAHALL. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. 
Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy.
  I listened to my friend from Pennsylvania, who is concerned about the 
Recovery Act. A number of us voted against it because it was too 
heavily weighted for tax cuts in an attempt to get Republicans to 
participate, but all of them voted ``no'' anyway. If you would have 
worked with us, we could have increased the amount of money devoted to 
infrastructure, but it's this same myopia that we see when Republicans 
refuse to accept broad bipartisan support for FAA in the Senate. What 
was it? It passed 89-7 or something like that, and yet we in the House 
can't work with them to increase the investment for aviation.
  It's sad. All you have to do is talk to the contractors in your 
district to find out that the Recovery Act kept them afloat. Contractor 
after contractor knows that it made a difference, but it's time for us 
to stop dancing around. We ought to approve the approach in a 
bipartisan way with the Senate, and we ought to step up and invest more 
in surface transportation, not less.
  We will find that there is broad agreement with the business 
community, the U.S. Chamber, organized labor, environmental groups, 
local government. This is the way that we will put more Americans to 
work. You seem to acknowledge it, but you're not working with us in the 
spirit of Chairman Bud Shuster and Chairman Don Young, who were willing 
to stand up and be counted in the need for more resources. We are 
facing a 34 percent reduction with the bill that the Republicans are 
dealing with now in the appropriations process, and you're not going to 
be able to get a decent 6-year authorization when you're slashing 
investments where America is falling behind.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. RAHALL. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. I think we ought to take this very good, clean 
extension, use the 6 months to be able to build on a foundation of the 
original ISTEA, right-size it, accept the recommendations of broad 
bipartisan commissions that we need to be spending more, deal with the 
deficit reduction the way that it happened with Ronald Reagan and with 
Bill Clinton that includes more infrastructure investment, and agree 
with the Senate FAA approach. We'll be able to put millions of 
Americans to work and stop the partisan bickering that we don't need to 
do. It's not partisan in the Senate. It doesn't have to be partisan 
here.
  Mr. MICA. I yield myself 15 seconds.
  Just to set the record straight, I went to the Democrat side, the 
other side of the aisle, when we proposed the stimulus legislation. I 
asked to double the amount for infrastructure. I think I got 14 or more 
votes from the other side of the aisle, but I had the motion to 
recommit. I offered it and it was not accepted.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Hank Johnson.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I thank the ranking member for yielding.
  I rise in strong support of this bill, which will keep people working 
in

[[Page 13421]]

building our infrastructure. Failure to pass this bill would put 
politics first and would mean unnecessary economic pain for millions of 
Americans. We've seen in the past that stop signs and guardrails have 
been put out, that traffic jams have been started, and now we want to 
blame the drivers of the car for the traffic jam that the other side 
commenced. It doesn't make any sense.
  Let's go ahead and pass this bill today. I commend my brother on the 
other side of the aisle for putting it forward--a clean bill. In 
Georgia, the highway bill provides more than $97 million a month for 
infrastructure jobs, employing more than 22,500 Georgians. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill so we can move past this stalemate and 
pass a long-term bill.
  Mr. MICA. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from New 
York (Mrs. Maloney).
  Mrs. MALONEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the 
ranking member and chairman for their leadership on this important 
bill, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act.
  This act includes a clean 6-month extension of our Nation's critical 
highway and transit programs. The funding provided in this extension to 
State Departments of Transportation and local transit agencies will 
keep Americans working and our economy moving while Congress acts to 
reauthorize these critically important programs. This extension is 
necessary to our Nation's economic health and to getting Americans back 
to work.
  I applaud the bipartisan work of our Chamber's leadership in bringing 
this to the floor. However, I believe that, once the extension is 
passed, we should focus on bringing true high-speed rail to the 
Northeast Corridor.

                              {time}  1310

  As a representative of the citizens of the great city of New York, I 
understand the significant economic and transportation value of having 
a high-speed rail option that would serve the Northeast mega-region. 
Such an initiative would not only create high-paying construction jobs 
in the near term, but would spur economic development and growth 
throughout the region in the long term.
  The Northeast region contains 20 percent of the Nation's population 
and just 2 percent of the land area. This density is evidenced by the 
fact that 70 percent of all chronically delayed flights originate in 
the New York-area airspace while 60 percent of the Northeast region's 
road miles are considered heavily congested.
  At a time when highway and air modes are nearing capacity levels and 
jobs are at a premium, high-speed rail for the Northeast corridor must 
be a serious consideration of this Congress. It would help our economic 
development and move our country forward in the 21st century, competing 
in the global markets.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. I yield the balance of my time to the ranking member of 
our Subcommittee on Railroads, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Brown).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman is recognized for 3\1/2\ 
minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. First of all, I want to thank Chairman Mica and 
Ranking Member Rahall for bringing this clean FAA reauthorization 
extension bill to the floor.
  Our Nation needs and deserves a well-funded multimodal transportation 
system. Business leaders, construction companies, labor groups, and 
rider advocates all agree that transportation infrastructure is 
critical to putting people back to work and improving our crumbling 
transportation system.
  Transportation and infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to 
the Nation, and, if properly funded, serves as a tremendous economic 
boost and job creator. The fact is that the Department of 
Transportation's statistics show that for every billion dollars 
invested in transportation, we generate 44,000 jobs and $6.2 billion in 
economic activity.
  Indeed, our Nation's long-term prosperity requires that we invest in 
our infrastructure. For example, China is currently spending 9 percent 
of their GDP on infrastructure, about $300 billion, while we are 
spending less than 2 percent.
  Clearly this lack of investment has led to a crumbling 
infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers in the 2009 
Report Card for America's Infrastructure, gave the United States a 
grade of D.
  It's time for this Congress and our committee to get serious about 
putting people back to work. There is no better way to do this than 
funding transportation at a level that is truly improving our system. 
We can no longer afford the status quo if we want to compete 
internationally with countries who understand the importance of 
infrastructure.
  Let's pass this bill now. Let's finish a long-term FAA and surface 
reauthorization bill. As the Governor of Florida says, let's get to 
work, let's put people to work.
  In an article that was in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday, Hank 
Fishkind said, ``This is the recovery, and it's going to take time,'' 
but he points out the importance of the infrastructure and putting 
people to work.
  Once again, I want to thank Mr. Mica, Mr. Rahall, the committee, and 
the staff. Let's get to work and let's put the American people back to 
work.

              [From the Orlando Sentinel, Sept. 11, 2011]

Talking With . . . Hank Fishkind: This Is the Recovery--and It's Going 
                      to Take Time, Economist Says

                           (By Jim Stratton)

       Hank Fishkind is a prominent Central Florida economist and 
     former adviser to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. He talked recently 
     with Sentinel reporter Jim Stratton.
       CFB: How bad has Central Florida's economy been in the last 
     two years, and what's surprised you the most?
       These are the worst economic conditions since the 1974-75 
     oil embargo. Not only has tourism turned down, but we had a 
     boom and bust of unprecedented proportions in the real estate 
     market. The thing that shocked me the most was the panic in 
     the financial markets at the depths of the recession. We 
     almost had a collapse of the banking system.
       CFB: Do you believe we've moved into a recovery?
       This is the recovery. It's not like we're going to get more 
     recovery. This is it. From a national perspective, following 
     the bursting of asset bubbles, national economies recover 
     slowly. That's what history teaches us. We've had a 
     tremendous asset bubble burst in the real estate market. It 
     takes time to heal from that.
       CFB: What policies would you suggest?
       We need for the president to propose, and Congress to be 
     accepting of, two major initiatives. We need, in the short 
     run, to provide some stimulus, and we need in the longer run 
     to restructure the entitlement programs and our tax system. 
     If we choose to restrict spending significantly over next six 
     to 12 months, we'll convert this slowdown into zero growth or 
     a recession. We need to have some stimulative spending. 
     Cutting now would be a dreadful error.
       CFB: How much of the slow growth is function of people's 
     fears and how much is a function of lingering structural 
     problems?
       There are still some substantial structural imbalances that 
     hold back growth. Certainly that's true in the housing 
     markets. In addition, the uncertainly over the debt ceiling, 
     the debilitating debate, the downgrade of U.S. debt, the 
     volatility in financial markets . . . All those things 
     combined, legitimately make business and individual decision 
     making more conservative.
       CFB: Are tax increases needed to balance the budget?
       There has to be tax increases as part of the program. We 
     can't just simply hope and plan to cut costs sufficiently to 
     make that happen. The costs cuts would be so dramatic as to 
     compromise economic growth so much in the short run, that the 
     long run might not matter.
       CFB: How do you think Gov. Rick Scott has done from an 
     economic policy standpoint?
       I like the vision. I think that's important. I would like 
     to see that vision built upon with more real action and less 
     rhetoric. For example, the plan to stimulate and accelerate a 
     billion dollars worth of road projects: It's a great idea. I 
     think now we need to see it executed.
       CFB: This area has talked a lot about the need to diversify 
     the economy. How would you say local leaders have done?
       I think that they've done a great job so far. Burnham is 
     here. We have a major medical city at Lake Nona, in part 
     because of public-private partnership. We have a wonderful 
     simulation industry on the east side, because of public-
     private partnerships that helped keep Lockheed here. So I 
     think we've done much better than most places. Going forward, 
     in an environment of slow growth,

[[Page 13422]]

     those places that are willing and able to continue to provide 
     some public-private partnerships will greatly benefit.
       CFB: You've developed the reputation as the guy developers 
     and businesses go to when they need an economist's support 
     before elected officials. Do you think that reputation is 
     fair?
       I would say I always tried to speak my mind as I really 
     believed things to be. I've promoted projects when I believed 
     that they add to the welfare and economy of the community.

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we do need to move forward. This 
isn't the time to bicker. This is the time to put people to work. This 
is the time to pass long-term reauthorization.
  I said earlier this cannot be another Band-Aid. We have had 21 
extensions. This is the eighth transportation bill extension.
  My dad used to say, you know, John, it's not how much you have, it's 
also how you spend it. We have to learn lessons. As of September 1, 
2011, just a few days ago, 35 percent of the limited amount of 
transportation stimulus dollars for infrastructure still remained in 
Washington, so it's not just spending people's money, it's spending it 
wisely.
  The other thing too is the money we spent; 82 percent of it went for 
short-term employment. Those jobs have come and gone, a little 
repaving, little jobs here. We need long-term commitment, so I am 
committed to do whatever it takes to pass a 6-year transportation bill 
and a 4-year FAA authorization.
  The people of this country deserve no less than having responsible 
action by this Congress to move these important infrastructure and job-
creating programs forward, and we are going to do it, mark my word.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I have serious reservations about 
H.R. 2887, the ``Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act 
of 2011.''
  H.R. 2887 extends for six months, until March 31, 2012, the current 
spending levels for the surface transportation authorization SAFETEA-
LU. This authorization expired in September 2009 and this will be the 
8th short term extension. When this original 5-year authorization was 
passed, it set spending levels above estimated gas tax revenues with 
goal of spending down the excess balances in the Highway Trust Fund. 
Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, such as the economic 
downturn and more fuel efficient vehicles, the gas tax revenue 
plateaued while spending remained high. As a result, the Highway Trust 
Fund is now insolvent and has required almost $35 billion in bailouts 
since 2008. Without reform, CBO estimates that the Highway account will 
require another bailout in the first few months of calendar year 2013 
and a total of $134 billion in General Fund transfers over the next ten 
years.
  The House FY 2012 Budget anticipates a long-term surface 
transportation authorization bill that keeps the Highway Trust Fund 
solvent without additional bailouts or gas tax increases. Maintaining 
the current unsustainable level of spending, even for just another 6 
months, worsens the financial condition of the Trust Fund and makes the 
inevitable task of balancing its spending to meet revenues even more 
painful. I urge the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction to come 
to agreement on a new surface transportation bill that streamlines the 
numerous programs at the Department of Transportation into a smaller 
number of core highway activities; eliminates diversions to non-highway 
projects such as bike trails and museums; and eliminates earmarks such 
as the infamous ``bridge to nowhere.''
  H.R. 2887 also extends for four months, until January 31, 2012, 
current spending levels for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 
This will be the 22nd short-term extension since the last long term 
authorization expired in 2007. These programs are long past due for 
updated and reformed policies. Like current surface transportation 
spending, the FAA's Airport Improvement Program [AIP] has been spending 
at unsustainable levels and must be restructured to do more with less. 
Between 2000 and 2010, spending on the AIP program increased by 47-
percent. In light of soaring deficits, these high levels cannot be 
sustained. The House FY 2012 Budget calls for reasonable spending 
reductions consistent with H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform 
Act of 2011, which maintains the ability for airports to obtain 
additional non-Federal sources of funding for important infrastructure 
investments.
  Surface Transportation and FAA programs are a critical part of a 21st 
century infrastructure in the United States. We know these programs are 
outdated and some are on an unsustainable path. While letting these 
programs expire is not an option, Congress must act quickly to enact 
fiscally responsible and effective reformed authorizations.
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Chairman 
and Ranking Member for their efforts to pass this clean extension of 
both our surface and air transportation programs.
  Working in a bipartisan fashion, we can avoid the previous clashes 
and political theatrics that forced 4,000 FAA employees and more than 
70,000 construction workers off the job for two weeks without pay.
  Our nation's transportation infrastructure is the backbone of our 
economy, and we must ensure our ability to move people and goods if we 
are to grow the economy and create jobs.
  I know the Chairman and Ranking Member share my disappointment that 
we are not yet providing back pay for those FAA employees who were 
furloughed. As you know, I am a cosponsor of Congressman LoBiondo's 
bipartisan legislation to make those employees whole. They were 
innocent victims of our inaction, and we should restore those lost 
wages immediately.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 
2011. I am glad to see that a clean authorization could be reached, but 
there are important issues that must be considered in the future.
  Prior to H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act being sent 
to the Senate, I offered an amendment to establish a mandate that at 
the top twenty United States airports, there shall be no fewer than 
three air traffic controllers on duty during periods of airfield 
operations. I firmly believe this provision will ensure that air 
traffic control towers at high volume airports in this country will be 
appropriately staffed at all times.
  We have all heard the recent stories of air traffic controllers 
falling asleep, or being locked out of the control tower, or for 
whatever reason, not being able to be on the job, on duty at critical 
times.
  I submit that by simply having a codified policy that at the busiest 
and most critical airports we mandate there be personnel redundancy in 
control towers, we can make the aviation system much safer.
  Think about the people on planes flying across our country. They are 
our grandmothers, husbands, wives, and babies. They are American 
passengers and their lives have value. To ensure their safety we must 
insist that air traffic controllers are vigilant. To ensure their 
vigilance we must set reasonable minimum standards.
  After 9/11, we discovered the vital importance of protecting our 
domestic airspace. Air traffic controllers are part of the front line 
of defense to protect and ensure the safety of our air space. If they 
lose contact with a plane, they can alert authorities. If an air 
traffic controller at a major domestic and international airport is 
asleep at the wheel who will make that call?
  It is unfair to put the lives of American passengers at high volume 
airports at any time in the hands of one individual, who may at some 
point be incapacitated. Even pilots have co-pilots. What if the 
controller fell ill? What then? What would you tell those passengers on 
the plane? Hope for the best? We need to provide the support that air 
traffic controllers need in addition to the responsibility.
  This language I support creates a mandate, that at all times there 
must be a minimum of three air traffic controllers in the tower during 
hours of airfield operation. I commend Secretary LaHood for ordering a 
second air traffic controller to be on duty overnight at National 
Airport. However, the Secretary's action simply evidences that there is 
no current mandate for multiple air traffic controllers. According to 
the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, most airports operate 
24 hours a day with two controllers in the tower for the midnight-to-6 
a.m. shift. The operative word is ``most''; we must act to create a 
uniform nationwide standard, verifiable and enforceable by the FAA.
  This legislation extends the funding for surface transportation 
through March, and aviation through January. As we move forward and 
prepare to consider this legislation in the coming months, it is my 
hope that my colleagues will consider these important provisions. 
Increasing the number of air traffic controllers on duty is a simple 
way to keep the American people safe.
  I am pleased to pass a clean extension of funding for our Nation's 
surface transportation and aviation networks. I will continue to 
advocate for an increased number of air traffic controllers as Congress 
returns to this issue in the next session.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2887 
Surface and Air

[[Page 13423]]

Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011. 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 district as well as every American. 
Transportation is an issue that affects virtually every American every 
day and should never be put on the backburner.
  H.R. 2887 will ensure that thousands of workers stay on the job and 
critical infrastructure projects do not come to a halt. Although I 
would much rather see a bill that reauthorizes our surface 
transportation and FAA programs long term, this bill will give the time 
we need to craft bipartisan long term bills. This bill extends the FAA 
and Surface Transportation reauthorization at the current level which 
is the lowest we should go. Not extending these programs would result 
in over 164,000 jobs lost in California infrastructure jobs alone. We 
have to look no further than August to see what happens when this 
Congress fails to act on reauthorizing these programs. Nearly, 90,000 
jobs were put in jeopardy, over 3,600 FAA experts furloughed, $11 
billion in contracts in limbo, and millions of dollars were lost. We 
have seen what shutting down can do--now we should see what investing 
can do.
  Reports from engineers to reports from truck drivers outline the 
unacceptable current state of our deteriorating transportation system 
and have called for an immediate investment. As a country we waste 
billions of dollars every year with unnecessary delays due to a 
crumbling and over-congested surface transportation system. We must 
simplify our transportation programs and focus on a performance based 
system. We must also make the difficult choices about how these 
programs get funded and avoid having to continuously path the highway 
trust fund.
  I have introduced several pieces of legislation that take a 
commonsense approach to these reoccurring problems. It provides 
solutions like strengthening Title VI so that projects are not delayed 
and redesigned when they over look low income and minority based 
communities. Establishing a Freight Corridors of National Significance 
Program will improve the efficiency, operation, and security of the 
national transportation system to move freight by prioritizing, 
investing, and promoting partnerships that advance interstate and 
foreign commerce, promote economic competitiveness, job creation, and 
improve the mobility of goods. Finally, with the growing number of 
states with strong environmental controls, we should make every effort 
to eliminate duplicative procedures that delay projects, while 
maintaining environmental safeguards.
  I urge my colleagues to support this clean extension of these two 
critical programs so we can get back to work on a long term full 
reauthorization. I look forward to working with Chairman Mica and 
Ranking member Rahall in the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee to develop these common sense ideas that will create jobs and 
rebuild our infrastructure.
  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. I am glad 
to see a clean bill come to the House floor that extends the 
authorization of the Federal Aviation Authority to function through the 
end of January 2012. It is critical that we keep an important 
government agency like the FAA running and get 3,600 federal employees 
and some 70,000 construction workers back to work to make sure that our 
air travel and shipment of goods are conducted safely and efficiently.
  However, this bill has been so scrubbed clean that it is missing a 
crucial component of fairness--back pay for those FAA employees who 
were furloughed during a nearly two week agency shutdown.
  It should be common sense for us to come together to make sure that 
the aviation specialists, engineers, electronics technicians, logistics 
experts, medical professionals, support staff, and others who were 
abruptly laid off, through no fault of their own, receive the 
compensation they deserve. We can't let dedicated, hard-working federal 
employees suffer because my colleagues across the aisle were unwilling 
to compromise, causing a shutdown of the FAA and costing American 
taxpayers $350 million in lost tax revenue.
  I am grateful that those FAA employees whose functions were deemed 
``essential'' and who continued to work during the shutdown--albeit 
without a salary and with no assurances of compensation--have received 
full compensation and benefits for that period. But that still leaves 
the vast majority of furloughed workers two-weeks short on pay, forcing 
many to draw on savings to make ends meet.
  I also understand that there is some disagreement over whether the 
Department of Transportation has the authority to provide back pay to 
furloughed employees under the legislation we are considering since it 
operates retroactively to ``erase'' the authorization gap, or if 
Congress needs to pass a law.
  This disagreement is a poor excuse for inaction. We would be adding 
insult to injury if we were to deprive furloughed employees of wages 
while we play the blame game for the second time--first on keeping the 
FAA open for business, and now on who can award a pay check. This is 
not new territory: we voted to compensate the 800,000 federal workers 
laid off during a 26-day budget stalemate in 1995-1996. We know how to 
do it. We just have to demonstrate the political will to get it done.
  I urge the House leadership to bring to the floor as expeditiously as 
possible H.R. 2814 or other legislation to ensure that these furloughed 
employees get paid.
  Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, I have serious concerns about the policies 
of H.R. 2887, Transportation Extension, and the procedures the House 
used to pass it.
  First, I applaud the House Leadership's numerous statements and 
actions on working towards fiscally responsible policies that begin to 
close our deficit and balance our budget. Achieving those two goals 
will certainly help create an environment for the private sector to 
create jobs. H. Con. Res. 34, the House Budget for Fiscal Year 2012, 
laid a solid blueprint for leaders in this Congress to follow towards 
that end.
  Unfortunately, the actions taken yesterday fail to follow the 
spending plan that 235 members of the House agreed upon earlier this 
year. The House Budget calls for a transportation policy that puts the 
bankrupt Highway Trust Fund and the insolvent Airport Improvement 
Program back operating within their means. Unfortunately, the bill we 
passed today sacrifices fiscal sanity for continued chaos.
  Unlike the House Budget, the policies of this Transportation 
Extension would continue current spending levels that, without the aid 
of previous bailouts, would leave the Highway Trust Fund and the 
Airport Improvement Program completely bankrupt. In fact, the 
Congressional Budget Office estimates the current policy embraced by 
this ``clean'' Transportation Extension would require future billion 
dollar bailouts in 2013 and every year thereafter over the next decade. 
Unlike the FY2012 plan called for in the House Budget, the action we 
took yesterday simply avoids the necessary dirty work associated with 
making sound fiscal decisions.
  Second, I was appalled by the procedure the House used in passing 
this bill. While I recognize the need to quickly move this bill by the 
start of Fiscal Year 2012, October 1, 2011, I do not believe that 
justifies suspending the House rules to move a bill that will cost tens 
of billions of dollars over six months without any opportunity to offer 
amendments either in the Rules committee or on the House floor. While 
such action does not technically violate our House or Conference rules, 
it certainly flies in the face of the higher standards those rules and 
protocols promote. Most notably, this multi-billion dollar 
Transportation Extension was only available for no more than a 24-hour 
review period, as opposed to the three-day review standard. Also, the 
bill failed to include a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate. 
Finally, it was unexpectedly voice voted without the opportunity for 
Representatives to record the collective voice of their constituents. 
As a result, we are left to less desirable means to record their vote.
  Ultimately, yesterday's action is a missed opportunity to ``advance 
policies that promote greater liberty, wider opportunity, . . , and 
national economic prosperity,'' as well as, ``to make government more 
transparent in its actions, careful in its stewardship, and honest in 
its dealings.'' Had I the chance yesterday to vote, I would have voted 
against this Transportation Extension.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Surface and Air 
Transportation Programs Extension Act, which would authorize surface 
transportation programs through March and the Federal Aviation 
Administration through January.
  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction sector 
faced 13.5 percent unemployment in August. The programs we authorize in 
this bill create the projects to help put this industry back to work--
to rebuild roads and bridges, renovate airports, and expand mass 
transit options. These are good jobs, here at home, that improve 
efficiency and economic competitiveness.
  But this bill is not enough. We cannot continue short-term extensions 
and stop-gap measures to make these critical investments. States need 
more certainty to plan their projects and industry needs to know that 
we are committed to rebuilding our infrastructure so they have the 
confidence to hire back employees who have been laid off.

[[Page 13424]]

  Additionally, this bill does not include relief for those FAA 
employees who were furloughed through no fault of their own when 
Congress failed to extend authorization this summer. It is important to 
make these workers whole, and we should work quickly to provide 
retroactive pay.
  Mr. Speaker, we need an ambitious agenda of investment that will put 
Americans back to work, repair our crumbling infrastructure, and 
jumpstart our economy. We need a long-term reauthorization of these 
critical programs. The American people are waiting--it's time to get 
the job done.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Schock). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2887.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________