[House Report 112-124]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                  Union Calendar No. 74

112th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - -  - - House Report 112-124

                                (112-34)

   SUMMARY ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND 
                 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 112TH CONGRESS

                             together with

                             MINORITY VIEWS

                               __________

                      ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS

                             FIRST SESSION

                     January 5, 2011-June 30, 2011

                               __________

             COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

                     U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES




 June 24, 2011.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                              _____

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  99-006                 WASHINGTON : 2011
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             COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

  JOHN L. MICA, Florida, Chairman

NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia     DON YOUNG, Alaska
PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon             THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin
JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois          HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of Columbia. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
JERROLD NADLER, New York             FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey
CORRINE BROWN, Florida               GARY G. MILLER, California
BOB FILNER, California               TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON, Illinois
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas         SAM GRAVES, Missouri
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland         BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa             SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West 
TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania             Virginia
RICK LARSEN, Washington              JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio
MICHAEL E. CAPUANO, Massachusetts    CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan
TIMOTHY H. BISHOP, New York          DUNCAN HUNTER, California
MICHAEL H. MICHAUD, Maine            ANDY HARRIS, Maryland
RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri              ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD, 
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California      Arkansas
DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois            JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington
MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii              FRANK C. GUINTA, New Hampshire
JASON ALTMIRE, Pennsylvania          RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois
TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota           LOU BARLETTA, Pennsylvania
HEATH SHULER, North Carolina         CHIP CRAVAACK, Minnesota
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee               BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas
LAURA RICHARDSON, California         LARRY BUCSHON, Indiana
ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey              BILLY LONG, Missouri
DONNA F. EDWARDS, Maryland           BOB GIBBS, Ohio
                                     PATRICK MEEHAN, Pennsylvania
                                     RICHARD L. HANNA, New York
                                     JEFFREY M. LANDRY, Louisiana
                                     STEVE SOUTHERLAND II, Florida
                                     JEFF DENHAM, California
                                     JAMES LANKFORD, Oklahoma
                                     REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin
                                     CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN, 
                                     Tennessee
                        SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION

                  THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin, Chairman
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina         JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee       RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri
FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey        DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois
SAM GRAVES, Missouri                 PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio                   BOB FILNER, California
FRANK C. GUINTA, New Hampshire       EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois             LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa
CHIP CRAVAACK, Minnesota, Vice       TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania
    Chair                            MICHAEL E. CAPUANO, Massachusetts
BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas              MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii
BILLY LONG, Missouri                 STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
PATRICK MEEHAN, Pennsylvania         ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of
STEVE SOUTHERLAND II, Florida          Columbia
JAMES LANKFORD, Oklahoma             NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin              (Ex Officio)
CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN,
  Tennessee
JOHN L. MICA, Florida (Ex Officio)

        SUBCOMMITTEE ON COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION

                FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey, Chairman
DON YOUNG, Alaska                    RICK LARSEN, Washington
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina         ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland
ANDY HARRIS, Maryland                CORRINE BROWN, Florida
FRANK C. GUINTA, New Hampshire       TIMOTHY H. BISHOP, New York
CHIP CRAVAACK, Minnesota             MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii
BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas              MICHAEL H. MICHAUD, Maine
JEFFREY M. LANDRY, Louisiana         NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
  Vice Chair                           (Ex Officio)
JOHN L. MICA, Florida (Ex Officio)

 SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND EMERGENCY 
                               MANAGEMENT

                   JEFF DENHAM, California, Chairman
TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON, Illinois         ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of
ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD,             Columbia
    Arkansas,                        HEATH SHULER, North Carolina
  Vice Chair                         MICHAEL H. MICHAUD, Maine
RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois             RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri
LOU BARLETTA, Pennsylvania           TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota
BOB GIBBS, Ohio                      DONNA F. EDWARDS, Maryland
PATRICK MEEHAN, Pennsylvania         BOB FILNER, California
RICHARD L. HANNA, New York           NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN,      (Ex Officio)
  Tennessee
JOHN L. MICA, Florida (Ex Officio)

                  SUBCOMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS AND TRANSIT

                JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee, Chairman
DON YOUNG, Alaska                    PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin           JERROLD NADLER, New York
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina         BOB FILNER, California
FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey        LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa
GARY G. MILLER, California           TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania
TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON, Illinois         MICHAEL E. CAPUANO, Massachusetts
SAM GRAVES, Missouri                 MICHAEL H. MICHAUD, Maine
BILL SCHUSTER, Pennsylvania          GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
SHELLY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia   MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii
JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio                   JASON ALTMIRE, Pennsylvania
CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan          TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota
ANDY HARRIS, Maryland                HEATH SHULER, North Carolina
ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD, Arkansas  STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington    LAURA RICHARDSON, California
FRANK C. GUINTA, New Hampshire       ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey
LOU BARLETTA, Pennsylvania           DONNA F. EDWARDS, Maryland
BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas              EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
LARRY BUCSHON, Indiana               ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland
BILLY LONG, Missouri                 NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia  
BOB GIBBS, Ohio                          (Ex Officio)
RICHARD L. HANNA, New York Vice 
    Chair
STEVE SOUTHERLAND II, Florida
JOHN L. MICA, Florida (Ex Officio)

      SUBCOMMITTEE ON RAILROADS, PIPELINES, AND HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

                  BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania, Chairman
GARY G. MILLER, California           CORRINE BROWN, Florida
SAM GRAVES, Missouri                 JERROLD NADLER, New York
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  RICK LARSEN, Washington
JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio                   TIMOTHY H. BISHOP, New York
CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan          MICHAEL H. MICHAUD, Maine
JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington    GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois             DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois
LOU BALETTA, Pennsylvania            JASON ALTMIRE, Pennsylvania
LARRY BUCSHON, Indiana               TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota
BILLY LONG, Missouri                 LAURA RICHARDSON, California
PATRICK MEEHAN, Pennsylvania         ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey
RICHARD L. HANNA, New York           PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
JEFFREY M. LANDRY, Louisiana         JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois
JEFF DENHAM, California              NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin              (Ex Officio)
CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN,
  Tennessee
JOHN L. MICA, Florida (Ex Officio)

            SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

                       BOB GIBBS, Ohio, Chairman
DON YOUNG, Alaska                    TIMOTHY H. BISHOP, New York
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee       JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois
GARY G. MILLER, California           ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of
TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON, Illinois           Columbia
BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania           RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  DONNA F. EDWARDS, Maryland
CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan          CORRINE BROWN, Florida
DUNCAN HUNTER, California            BOB FILNER, California
ANDY HARRIS, Maryland                EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD, Arkansas  MICHAEL E. CAPUANO, Massachusetts
JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington,   GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
  Vice Chair                         JASON ALTMIRE, Pennsylvania
CHIP CRAVAACK, Minnesota             STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
LARRY BUCSHON, Indiana               LAURA RICHARDSON, California
JEFFREY M. LANDRY, Louisiana         MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii
JEFF DENHAM, California              NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
JAMES LANKFORD, Oklahoma               (Ex Officio)
REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin
JOHN L. MICA, Florida (Ex Officio)












                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Letter of Submittal..............................................    IX
Jurisdiction of the House Committee on Transportation and 
  Infrastructure.................................................     1
Foreword.........................................................     3
Table of Bills Enacted into Law..................................     6
Table of Concurrent Resolutions Approved by Both Chambers........     6
Table of Bills and Resolutions Passed by the House but Not Acted 
  on by the Senate...............................................     7
Committee Organizational Meetings and Markups....................     7
Summary of Activities:
    Full Committee...............................................     9
    Subcommittee on Aviation.....................................    12
    Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation......    15
    Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and 
      Emergency Management.......................................    19
    Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.........................    28
    Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials    36
    Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment..............    41
Oversight Plan...................................................    46
    Summary of Actions Taken and Recommendations Made Regarding 
      Oversight Plan.............................................    47
    Summary of any Additional Oversight Activities Undertaken by 
      Committee or Recommendations or Actions....................    53
    Summary of Oversight Hearings Pursuant to Clauses 2(n), (o), 
      and (p) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
      Representatives............................................    53
Oversight or Legislative Activity Conducted as Part of or as a 
  Result of the Inventory and Review of Existing, Pending, and 
  Proposed Regulations and Orders................................    56
Publications.....................................................    58
Minority Views...................................................    63










                          LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                          House of Representatives,
            Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
                                     Washington, DC, June 24, 2011.
Hon. John Boehner,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to Clause 1(d) of Rule XI of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, I submit the Semiannual 
Report on the Activities of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure for the 112th Congress.
    The purpose of this report is to provide Members of 
Congress, Congressional staff, and the general public with an 
overview of the activities of the Committee. This report is 
intended as a general reference tool and not as a substitute 
for Committee hearing records, reports, and files.
            Sincerely,
                                              John L. Mica,
                                                          Chairman.
    Enclosure.
                                                  Union Calendar No. 74
112th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    112-124

======================================================================



 
   SUMMARY ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND 
                 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 112TH CONGRESS

                                _______
                                

 June 24, 2011.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Mica, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                             MINORITY VIEWS

 PROVISIONS OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPLICABLE TO 
     COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES; JURISDICTION OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON 
                   TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

                                 Rule X


                      ``ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEES

            ``Committees and their legislative jurisdictions

    ``1. There shall be in the House the Following standing 
committees, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and 
related functions assigned by this clause and clauses 2, 3, and 
4. All bills, resolutions, and other matters relating to 
subjects within the jurisdiction of the standing committees 
listed in this clause shall be referred to those committees, in 
accordance with clause 2 of rule XII, as follows:
    ``(r) Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
    ``(1) Coast Guard, including lifesaving service, 
lighthouses, lightships, ocean derelicts, and the Coast Guard 
Academy.
    ``(2) Federal management of emergencies and natural 
disasters.
    ``(3) Flood control and improvement of rivers and harbors.
    ``(4) Inland waterways.
    ``(5) Inspection of merchant marine vessels, lights and 
signals, lifesaving equipment, and fire protection on such 
vessels.
    ``(6) Navigation and laws relating thereto, including 
pilotage.
    ``(7) Registering and licensing of vessels and small boats.
    ``(8) Rules and international arrangements to prevent 
collisions at sea.
    ``(9) The Capitol Building and the Senate and House Office 
Buildings.
    ``(10) Construction or maintenance of roads and post roads 
(other than appropriations therefor).
    ``(11) Construction or reconstruction, maintenance, and 
care of buildings and grounds of the Botanic Garden, the 
Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution.
    ``(12) Merchant marine (except for national security 
aspects thereof).
    ``(13) Purchase of sites and construction of post offices, 
custom-houses, Federal courthouses, and Government buildings 
within the District of Columbia.
    ``(14) Oil and other pollution of navigable waters, 
including inland, coastal, and ocean waters.
    ``(15) Marine affairs, including coastal zone management, 
as they relate to oil and other pollution of navigable waters.
    ``(16) Public buildings and occupied or improved grounds of 
the United States generally.
    ``(17) Public works for the benefit of navigation, 
including bridges and dams (other than international bridges 
and dams).
    ``(18) Related transportation regulatory agencies (except 
the Transportation Security Administration).
    ``(19) Roads and the safety thereof.
    ``(20) Transportation, including civil aviation, railroads, 
water transportation, transportation safety (except automobile 
safety and transportation security functions of the Department 
of Homeland Security), transportation infrastructure, 
transportation labor, and railroad retirement and unemployment 
(except revenue measures related thereto).
    ``(21) Water power.

                                FOREWORD

    The 112th Congress began as the country was struggling with 
high employment (9.0% in January 2011), high home foreclosure 
rates, crumbling infrastructure, and dwindling hope among 
Americans. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
immediately responded to the economic crisis by developing a 
legislative and oversight agenda focused on three primary 
objectives:
          1. Creating jobs;
          2. Saving taxpayer money; and
          3. Shrinking the size of the Federal government.
    In the first quarter of the 112th Congress, the Committee 
immediately began its important work of improving 
infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner. From January 
until the end of June, the Committee has held three Full 
Committee markups, one Subcommittee markup, one organizational 
meeting, 45 hearings, 14 listening sessions, three roundtables, 
and one symposium. In addition, the Committee reported six 
bills, issued one investigative report on the Transportation 
Security Administration's failure to utilize a more cost-
effective security screening model (the Screening Partnership 
Program), and approved the Committee Oversight Plan and the 
Views and Estimates.
    Three bills, crafted and supported by the Committee, 
continued the authorization of important transportation 
programs that would have otherwise expired. The Airport and 
Airway Extension Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-7) extended Federal 
Aviation Administration programs through May 31, 2011. The 
Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part II (P.L. 112-
16), extended the aviation programs through June 30, 2011. The 
President signed the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 
2011 (P.L. 112-5) on March 4, 2011, extending through September 
30, 2011, the authority for surface transportation programs 
originally authorized under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient, Transportation Equity Act--a Legacy for Users 
(SAFETEA LU).
    The Committee approved a number of important transportation 
and infrastructure bills. On February 16, 2011, the Committee 
ordered reported the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 
(H.R. 658), and the legislation passed the House on April 1, 
2011. H.R. 658 is a long-term Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA) reauthorization which reforms FAA programs and provides 
funding at aggregate FY 08 levels without cuts critical to 
safety, resulting in about $4 billion in taxpayer savings. The 
bill eliminates duplicative policies and offices within the FAA 
and consolidates air traffic control facilities.
    Also on February 16th, the Committee approved H.R. 690, and 
a companion Committee Resolution, to direct the Administrator 
of General Services to transfer administrative jurisdiction, 
custody, and control of the building located at 600 
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., in the District of Columbia, to the 
National Gallery of Art, and for other purposes. H.R. 690, the 
Federal Trade Commission and National Gallery of Art Facility 
Consolidation, Savings, and Efficiency Act of 2011 requires the 
Administrator of General Services Administration (GSA), not 
later than December 31, 2014, to transfer administrative 
jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Federal Trade 
Commission (FTC) building to the National Gallery of Art (NGA) 
and to name such building as the North Building of the National 
Gallery of Art. The legislation requires the NGA to pay the 
costs of remodeling, renovating, or reconstructing such 
building. The GSA also must relocate the offices of the FTC to 
other modernized buildings in Washington, D.C., that are owned 
by the Federal government. H.R. 690 saves the taxpayers an 
estimated $300 million in avoided renovation and lease costs of 
the FTC and NGA. Additional benefits include $200 million in 
non-taxpayer renovations of the Apex Building by the NGA. The 
FTC building will be utilized more efficiently by the NGA, as 
currently only a little more than half of the facility's 
306,000 square feet is usable for FTC operations.
    The Committee, in keeping with the objective to save 
taxpayer dollars, create jobs, and shrink the government, 
supported legislation aimed to eliminate unnecessary or 
duplicative regulations that are suffocating the struggling 
economy. The Committee ordered the Reducing Regulatory Burdens 
Act of 2011 (H.R. 872) reported on March 16, 2011, and passed 
the House on March 31, 2011. The bill would amend the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (commonly referred to as the Clean 
Water Act) to clarify the Congressional intent regarding the 
regulation of pesticides in or near navigable waters and for 
other purposes. The bill would prevent a duplicative regulatory 
hurdle for the approved applications of pesticides.
    Chairman Mica and Ranking Member Rahall introduced the 
Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 (H.R. 2018). 
This bill would amend the Clean Water Act to preserve the 
authority of each State to make determinations relating to the 
State's water quality standards, and to restrict Environmental 
Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to second-guess or delay a 
State's permitting and water quality certification decisions 
under the Clean Water Act in several important respects, 
including State water quality standards, dredge and fill 
permits, and requiring a deadline for Agency comment. The bill 
was introduced on May 26, 2011, and received widespread 
bipartisan support.
    The Committee could not have achieved these accomplishments 
without the bipartisan leadership and dedication of each of the 
Members of the Committee, particularly Ranking Member Nick J. 
Rahall, II, and the Chairs and Ranking Members of each of the 
Subcommittees. The Subcommittee Chairs immediately began their 
work by conducting hearings and guiding bills and resolutions 
through each of their respective Subcommittees.
    Consequently, I submit the Legislative and Oversight 
Activities of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure for the first quarter of the 112th Congress. 
This summary highlights accomplishments that will create jobs, 
save the taxpayer money, and shrink the size of the federal 
governmental all while improving the safety, security, and 
efficiency of the country's transportation and infrastructure 
for years to come.

                                    John L. Mica, Chairman,
                    Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


                                         TABLE OF BILLS ENACTED INTO LAW
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Public Law No.                 Date Enacted                    Bill No.                    Title
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.L. 112-2.............  February 17, 2011................  S. 188.................  A bill to designate the
                                                                                      United States courthouse
                                                                                      under construction at 98
                                                                                      West First Street, Yuma,
                                                                                      Arizona, as the ``John M.
                                                                                      Roll United States
                                                                                      Courthouse''.
P.L. 112-5.............  March 4, 2011....................  H.R. 662...............  To provide an extension of
                                                                                      Federal-aid highway,
                                                                                      highway safety, motor
                                                                                      carrier safety, transit,
                                                                                      and other programs funded
                                                                                      out of the Highway Trust
                                                                                      Fund pending enactment of
                                                                                      a multiyear law
                                                                                      reauthorizing such
                                                                                      programs.
P.L. 112-7.............  March 31, 2011...................  H.R. 1079..............  To amend the Internal
                                                                                      Revenue Code of 1986 to
                                                                                      extend the funding and
                                                                                      expenditure authority of
                                                                                      the Airport and Airway
                                                                                      Trust Fund, to amend title
                                                                                      49, United States Code, to
                                                                                      extend the airport
                                                                                      improvement program, and
                                                                                      for other purposes.
P.L. 112-11............  April 25, 2011...................  S. 307.................  A bill to designate the
                                                                                      Federal building and
                                                                                      United States courthouse
                                                                                      located at 217 West King
                                                                                      Street, Martinsburg, West
                                                                                      Virginia, as the ``W.
                                                                                      Craig Broadwater Federal
                                                                                      Building and United States
                                                                                      Courthouse''.
P.L. 112-16............  May 31, 2011.....................  H.R. 1893..............  To amend the Internal
                                                                                      Revenue Code of 1986 to
                                                                                      extend the funding and
                                                                                      expenditure authority of
                                                                                      the Airport and Airway
                                                                                      Trust Fund, to amend title
                                                                                      49, United States Code, to
                                                                                      extend the airport
                                                                                      improvement program, and
                                                                                      for other purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            TABLE OF CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY BOTH CHAMBERS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Resolution No.                      Title                      House Passage            Senate Passage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. Con. Res. 16..........  Authorizing the use of the Capitol  May 11, 2011............  May 12, 2011
                            Grounds for the Greater
                            Washington Soap Box Derby.
H. Con. Res. 46..........  Authorizing the use of the Capitol  May 11, 2011............  May 12, 2011
                            Grounds for the National Peace
                            Officers' Memorial Service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 TABLE OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE HOUSE BUT NOT ACTED ON BY
                               THE SENATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Date of House
       Bill No.                    Title                   Passage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 362..............  To redesignate the Federal  May 2, 2011
                         building and United
                         States Courthouse located
                         at 200 East Wall Street
                         in Midland, Texas, as the
                         George H. W. Bush and
                         George W. Bush United
                         States Courthouse and
                         George Mahon Federal
                         Building''.
H.R. 872..............  To amend the Federal        March 31, 2011
                         Insecticide, Fungicide,
                         and Rodenticide Act and
                         the Federal Water
                         Pollution Control Act to
                         clarify Congressional
                         intent regarding the
                         regulation of the use of
                         pesticides in or near
                         navigable waters, and for
                         other purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS AND MARKUPS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Date of Organizational Meeting or
                Markup                   Full or Subcommittee            Agenda                  Outcome
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 26, 2011.....................  Full Committee.........  Organizational Meeting
February 16, 2011....................  Full Committee.........  The Committee
                                                                 considered the
                                                                 following measures:
                                                                 Committee       Approved by voice vote
                                                                 resolution to reduce
                                                                 facility costs by
                                                                 consolidating National
                                                                 Gallery of Art and
                                                                 Federal Trade
                                                                 Commission operations
                                                                 in the District of
                                                                 Columbia
                                                                 H.R. 690,       Ordered reported as
                                                                 Federal Trade            amended by voice vote
                                                                 Commission and
                                                                 National Gallery of
                                                                 Art Facility
                                                                 Consolidation, Savings
                                                                 and Efficiency Act of
                                                                 2011
                                                                 Norton
                                                                 amendment to H.R. 690
                                                                 Denham
                                                                 amendment to H.R. 690
                                                                 H.R. 362, to    Ordered reported by
                                                                 redesignate the          voice vote
                                                                 Federal building and
                                                                 United States
                                                                 Courthouse located at
                                                                 200 East Wall Street
                                                                 in Midland, Texas, as
                                                                 the ``George H. W.
                                                                 Bush and George W.
                                                                 Bush United States
                                                                 Courthouse and George
                                                                 Mahon Federal
                                                                 Building''
                                                                 H.R. 658, the   Ordered reported as
                                                                 FAA Reauthorization      amended by recorded
                                                                 and Reform Act of 2011   vote 34-25
                                                                 Mica manager's
                                                                 amendment
                                                                 Costello
                                                                 amendment
                                                                 Shuster
                                                                 amendment
                                                                 Hirono
                                                                 amendment (OSHA)
                                                                 Hirono
                                                                 amendment (flight
                                                                 attendant fatigue)
                                                                 Michaud
                                                                 amendment
                                                                 Lipinski
                                                                 amendment
                                                                 H.R. 662, the   Ordered reported by
                                                                 Surface Transportation   voice vote
                                                                 Extension Act of 2011
March 16, 2011.......................  Full Committee.........  The Committee
                                                                 considered the
                                                                 following measures:
                                                                 Fiscal Year     Approved by voice vote
                                                                 2012 Budget Views and
                                                                 Estimates of the
                                                                 Committee on
                                                                 Transportation and
                                                                 Infrastructure
                                                                 S. 307, A bill  Ordered reported by
                                                                 to designate the         voice vote
                                                                 Federal building and
                                                                 United States
                                                                 Courthouse located at
                                                                 217 West King Street,
                                                                 Martinsburg, West
                                                                 Virginia, as the ``W.
                                                                 Craig Broadwater
                                                                 Federal Building and
                                                                 United States
                                                                 Courthouse''
                                                                 H.R. 872,       Ordered reported by
                                                                 Reducing Regulatory      record vote 46-8
                                                                 Burdens Act of 2011
                                                                 Schmidt
                                                                 manager's amendment
                                                                 Bishop
                                                                 amendment, offered and
                                                                 withdrawn
                                                                 H.R. 1079,      Ordered reported by
                                                                 Airport and Airway       voice vote
                                                                 Extension Act of 2011
May 25, 2011.........................  Subcommittee on          The Committee
                                        Economic Development,    considered the
                                        Public Buildings, and    following measures:
                                        Emergency Management.
                                                                 H.R. 1734, The  Approved for Full
                                                                 Civilian Property        Committee
                                                                 Realignment Act, a
                                                                 bill to establish a
                                                                 framework through
                                                                 which a BRAC-like
                                                                 commission would
                                                                 independently review
                                                                 federal properties and
                                                                 make recommendations
                                                                 for consolidations, co-
                                                                 locations,
                                                                 redevelopement,
                                                                 selling or other
                                                                 actions to minimize
                                                                 costs.
                                                                 Rep. Denham
                                                                 amendment in the
                                                                 nature of a substitute
June 22, 2011........................  Full Committee.........  The Committee
                                                                 considered the
                                                                 following measures:.
                                                                 H.R. 1073, To
                                                                 designate the United
                                                                 States courthouse to
                                                                 be constructed in
                                                                 Jackson, Mississippi,
                                                                 as the ``R. Jess Brown
                                                                 United States
                                                                 Courthouse''
                                                                 H.R. 1264, To
                                                                 designate the property
                                                                 between the United
                                                                 States Federal
                                                                 Courthouse and the Ed
                                                                 Jones Building located
                                                                 at 109 South Highland
                                                                 Avenue in Jackson,
                                                                 Tennessee, as the
                                                                 ``M.D. Anderson
                                                                 Plaza'' and to
                                                                 authorize the
                                                                 placement of a
                                                                 historical/
                                                                 identification marker
                                                                 on the grounds
                                                                 recognizing the
                                                                 achievements and
                                                                 philanthropy of M.D.
                                                                 Anderson
                                                                 H.R. 1791, To
                                                                 designate the United
                                                                 States courthouse
                                                                 under construction at
                                                                 101 South United
                                                                 States Route 1 in Fort
                                                                 Pierce, Florida, as
                                                                 the ``Alto Lee Adams,
                                                                 Sr., United States
                                                                 Courthouse''
                                                                 H.R. 2018, The
                                                                 Clean Water
                                                                 Cooperative Federalism
                                                                 Act of 2011
                                                                 Summary of
                                                                 Legislative and
                                                                 Oversight Activities
                                                                 Committee Report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                         SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

                             Full Committee

                                HEARINGS

    Title: Biometric IDs for Pilots and Transportation Workers: 
Diary of Failures
    Date: April 14, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the inclusion of biometric 
identifiers on identification for airline pilots and other 
transportation workers, as well as the state of federal 
biometric standards and uses.
    Summary: The Committee continued oversight of the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot license program. The FAA 
has ignored Congressional and Administrative guidance on 
issuing biometric credentials to airline pilots. In section 
4022 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 
2004 (P.L. 108-458), Congress mandated that not later than one 
year after the date of enactment, the FAA must begin to issue 
improved pilot licenses consistent with the requirements of 
title 49, United States Code, and title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. The Act further specified the improved pilot 
licenses would be resistant to tampering, alteration, and 
counterfeiting, include a photograph of the individual to whom 
the license is issued, and be capable of accommodating a 
digital photograph, a biometric identifier, or any other unique 
identifier that the FAA considered necessary. Six years later, 
the FAA still has not included biometric identifiers or 
photographs on pilot licenses. Once the photograph mandate is 
implemented, a pilot license will be an acceptable 
identification card to use at airport checkpoints and, 
according to existing Federal standards for personal identity 
verification cards, a pilot license may be used to quickly and 
electronically verify pilot identification at airport 
checkpoints, allowing pilots to bypass physical screening.
    The Committee heard testimony from Peggy Gilligan, 
Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety at the FAA, 
regarding FAA's current pilot license and FAA's progress in 
developing a pilot license that includes biometric identifiers. 
Ms. Gilligan also testified regarding FAA's desire to cooperate 
with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 
creating a biometric pilot license and FAA's desire to avoid 
duplicating the existing biometric standards promulgated by the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The 
Committee heard testimony from Cita Furlani, Director of the 
Information Technology Laboratory, NIST, regarding federal 
standards for biometric identifiers, the types of biometric 
identifiers in use, and the implementation and interoperability 
of these identifiers. The Committee invited testimony from John 
Pistole, Administrator, TSA, and John Schwartz, Transportation 
Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program Manager, TSA, 
but they refused to attend.
    The hearing demonstrated the FAA ignored Congressional 
mandates regarding the inclusion of biometric identifiers on 
federal pilot licenses. The Committee's oversight of this 
important issue will increase the security of the country's 
aviation system by ensuring that future pilot licenses are 
secure, tamper-resistant, and contain biometric identifiers.

    Title: Stimulus Status: Two Years and Counting
    Date: May 4, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony, pursuant to the Committee-
approved Oversight Plan and House Rule XI, Clause 2(n), to 
examine the audit work performed by the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO), the Department of Transportation 
Inspector General (DOT IG), and the Environmental Protection 
Agency Inspector General (EPA IG) on implementation the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. GAO and the two IGs 
performed extensive audit work on the implementation of funded 
programs from the Department of Transportation (DOT), including 
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA), the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The audits uncovered 
significant lapses in oversight by the implementing agencies, 
mismanagement of grants and funds, and lack of transparency.
    Summary: The Committee heard testimony from DOT IG, Calvin 
L. Scovel, III, EPA IG, Arthur A. Elkins, Jr., and the GAO 
directors on transportation and infrastructure projects, 
Phillip Herr and David Trimble, on their extensive audit work 
regarding the implementation of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act, particularly areas of grant mismanagement, 
poor project selection, and lack of transparency. Roy Kienitz, 
Undersecretary for Policy at DOT, also testified.

                     ACTIVITIES AND INVESTIGATIONS

    Title: TSA Ignores More Cost-Effective Screening Model
    Date: June 3, 2011
    Purpose: Majority staff investigated the basis and 
rationale for the January 28, 2011, decision by John Pistole, 
Administrator, TSA, to halt the expansion of the Screening 
Partnership Program (SPP), the comparative efficiencies of SPP 
and non-SPP screening, and the various screening models used in 
the international community.
    Summary: After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 
Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 
2001 (ATSA) (P.L. 107-71), creating the TSA to regulate 
aviation security standards, among other purposes. ATSA also 
created the SPP to allow TSA-certified contractors, under 
federal supervision and regulation, to conduct passenger and 
baggage screening at airports. The law provided airport 
authorities the option to ``opt-out'' of the federal screening 
model. Since the creation of the SPP, a total of sixteen 
airports have chosen to opt-out of the federal screening model 
and use private contractors for passenger and baggage 
screening.
    On January 28, 2011, TSA Administrator John Pistole 
announced that he would not expand the SPP and denied pending 
SPP applications from five airports. Administrator Pistole's 
announcement marked the first time in the program's ten-year 
history that an airport had been refused participation in the 
statutorily-mandated program. Covert testing, anecdotal 
information, and independent evaluation have shown that 
utilizing private screening professionals under federal 
regulation and oversight is the better and more cost-effective 
security option.
    The Committee conducted an investigation into the basis and 
rationale for Administrator Pistole's decision, the comparative 
efficiencies of SPP and non-SPP screening, and the various 
screening models used in the international community. As a 
result of this investigation, the Committee Majority Staff made 
several key findings:
    1. Taxpayers would save $1 billion over five years if the 
Nation's top 35 airports operated as efficiently as San 
Francisco International Airport does under the SPP model.
    2. SPP screeners are 65 percent more efficient than their 
federal counterparts.
    3. Taxpayers would save more than $38.6 million a year if 
Los Angeles International Airport joined the SPP.
    4. TSA concealed significant cost factors unique to the 
federal screening model.
    5. TSA has hired 137,100 staff since the agency's creation 
and spent more than $2 billion on recruiting and training 
costs.
    6. ``Clear and substantial advantage'' for approving five 
airport applications existed and were ignored by TSA when TSA 
denied their application to the SPP.
    7. TSA's SPP application and evaluation process is flawed.
    8. TSA does not have specific criteria to determine if a 
``clear or substantial advantage'' exists to order to evaluate 
SPP applications.
    9. There is evidence that TSA officials erroneously claimed 
no communication with union representatives about the SPP.
    10. TSA officials recommended abolishing the SPP.
    11. Most of the rest of the world utilizes a SPP-like 
screening model at airports.
    The Administration has often used cost as a justification 
for not promoting the SPP. In 2007, TSA claimed that SPP 
airports cost 17.4 percent more to operate than airports under 
the federal security model. Committee Chairman John L. Mica 
requested that the GAO examine TSA's claim. As a result, GAO 
found that TSA's methodology for the cost assessment was flawed 
and identified multiple cost elements the agency had excluded 
when performing the analysis. TSA then revised its cost 
assessment in January 2011 to reflect a three percent higher 
operating cost at SPP airports than airports using federal 
screeners. However, TSA's 2011 cost analysis has not been 
independently verified.
    Majority Committee Staff conducted their own cost analysis 
using three cost metrics that have been dismissed in previous 
cost comparisons conducted by TSA: screener productivity, 
screener turnover, and use of the National Deployment Force 
(NDF). Assuming that all other costs related to screening 
operations at the SPP and non-SPP airport are equal, the 
Committee found that SPP screeners are 65 percent more 
efficient than non-SPP screeners, and additional costs 
associated with ineffective workforce management were 42 
percent higher than similar costs under the SPP model. Majority 
Committee Staff produced its finding in a report released on 
June 3, 2011.
    To see the report, please visit: http://republicans. 
transportation.house.gov/Media/file/112th/Aviation/2011-06-03-
TSA_SPP_Report.pdf

                        Subcommittee on Aviation

    To date, the Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by 
Representative Thomas Petri, with Representative Jerry Costello 
serving as ranking member, held three hearings and one Member's 
roundtable. The Subcommittee developed major legislation, H.R. 
658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011, to 
reauthorize and reform the programs, funding, and organization 
of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and to provide 
$59.7 billion over four years for FAA programs. On April 1, 
2011, the House passed H.R. 658.

                                HEARINGS

    Title: FAA Reauthorization of 2011: FAA Administrator
    Date: February 8, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the reauthorization of the 
FAA. The hearing covered issues of funding and financing the 
Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which helps fund the development 
of a nationwide airport and airway system. The Trust Fund also 
funds FAA investments in air traffic control facilities and 
airport grants, thereby creating jobs.
    Summary: The Subcommittee heard testimony from 
Administrator Randy Babbitt who testified on the importance of 
a long term reauthorization act, and offered his viewpoint on 
the issues to be addressed in the reauthorization bill. The 
hearing discussed the FAA's Facility and Equipment (F&E) 
program, which includes development, installation, and 
transitional maintenance of navigational and communication 
equipment to support aviation operations. The hearing looked at 
safety issues, commercial service to small community through 
the Essential Air Service (EAS), and the importance of Next 
Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) to the future of 
aviation. The hearing also explored issues related to FAA 
regulation of the aviation industry and the importance of a 
long-term FAA bill to ensure a steady source of funding and 
create jobs.

    Title: FAA Reauthorization of 2011: Stakeholders
    Date: February 9, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the reauthorization of the 
FAA from aviation stakeholders.
    Summary: The Subcommittee heard testimony from airport and 
airline associations, labor unions, and manufacturers' 
associations. The seven witnesses testified on the importance 
of a long term reauthorization act and offered their advice on 
the issues to be addressed in the reauthorization process. The 
hearing covered issues of funding and financing for the EAS 
Program and the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The hearing 
discussed the importance of NextGen and the need to continue 
its implementation to remain competitive in the global 
marketplace and to address looming issues related to congestion 
and environmental impacts. The hearing addressed safety 
concerns, labor issues, and standardization of regulation 
interpretation. The hearing also explored areas where the 
industry believed there was excessive or unnecessary regulation 
that negatively impacted the ability of industry to grow 
economically and create jobs.

    Title: Roundtable--A Discussion of Airports and Fixed-Based 
Operator Issues
    Date: June 15, 2011
    Purpose: Discussed various issues regarding the 
relationship between airports and fixed-based operators (FBOs), 
including competition, the use of both Federal and private 
funds, and leases, as well as other issues.
    Summary: Earlier this Congress, Representative John Duncan 
introduced H.R. 1474, the Freedom from Competition Act of 2011, 
which would prohibit any entity receiving federal funding from 
using these funds to compete with a private business. This 
legislation resulted in debate on legislation's impact on the 
relationship between airports and FBOs. The Aviation 
Subcommittee invited representatives from associations 
representing FBOs and airports to discuss the issues.

    Title: GPS Reliability: A Review of Aviation Industry 
Performance, Safety Issues, and Avoiding Potential New and 
Costly Government Burdens
    Date: June 23, 2011
    Purpose: A joint hearing on Global Positioning System (GPS) 
Reliability by the Subcommittees on Aviation and Coast Guard 
and Maritime Transportation to receive testimony on stakeholder 
concerns with GPS interference, the implications of that 
interference on GPS reliability, NextGen, aviation job 
creation, and the potential remedies to GPS interference.
    Summary: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is 
considering an application by a company called LightSquared to 
build nationwide broadband internet infrastructure. 
LightSquared has applied to have high-power internet broadcast 
stations across the country on the spectrum neighboring the 
low-powered GPS signal. A broad coalition of industry 
stakeholders who use GPS, including almost all of the aviation 
groups, have expressed concern the high-powered broadband 
signal will overpower and disable critical GPS navigation and 
timing functions. Initial testing by the Department of Defense 
(DoD) and DOT have validated some of these interference 
concerns. There are similar concerns related to how GPS 
interference might impact maritime safety. The Subcommittees 
will hear testimony from DOT, the DoD, the Coast Guard, 
LightSquared, the RTCA Inc., and representatives of airlines, 
manufacturers, and general aviation.

                              LEGISLATION

    Title: Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011
    Public Law Number: P.L. 112-7 (March 31, 2011)
    Bill Number: H.R. 1079
    Summary: The most recent long-term FAA reauthorization act, 
Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-
176), expired September 30, 2007. During the 110th and 111th 
Congresses, the House and Senate were unable to reach agreement 
on a final, long-term reauthorization. In April 2011, the House 
passed H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 
2011. In February 2011, the Senate passed its own comprehensive 
FAA reauthorization act. To allow the two chambers time to 
negotiate a multi-year FAA reauthorization act, Congress passed 
a 60-day extension of the FAA's authority to administer 
aviation programs and to receive tax proceeds. The prior 
extension expired on March 31, 2011. H.R. 1079 extended that 
authority through May 31, 2011. The bill extended the 
authorization of appropriations for aviation programs, excise 
taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and 
property, and the expenditure authority of the Airport and 
Airway Trust Fund. This legislation also extended, various 
airport development projects, including: (1) the pilot program 
for passenger facility fees at non-hub airports, (2) small 
airport grants for airports located in the Marshall Islands, 
Micronesia, and Palau, (3) state and local airport land use 
compatibility projects, (4) the authority of the Metropolitan 
Washington Airports Authority to apply for an airport 
development grant and impose a passenger facility fee, (5) the 
temporary increase to 95 percent in the government share of 
certain Airport Improvement Program (AIP) project costs, and 
(6) Midway Island airport development. It also extended AIP 
projects and project grant authority.

    Title: FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011
    Bill Number: H.R. 658 (passed House on April 1, 2011)
    Summary: The FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011. 
H.R. 658 meets the total aggregate FY 08 appropriations levels 
starting in 2012, resulting in about $4 billion in savings 
compared to 2010 appropriations. H.R. 658 is a long-term FAA 
reauthorization which provides clear funding levels and much 
needed stability to the aviation, airport, and airline 
communities, and as a result will create jobs and boost the 
economy. H.R. 658 addresses redundancies in positions and 
policies of the FAA and eliminates them, and in addition 
consolidates and realigns the air traffic control facilities in 
order to eliminate unnecessary facilities. H.R. 658 improves 
the safe and efficient operation of our Nation's aviation 
system.
    H.R. 658 contains provisions that would set deadlines and 
create accountability for the implementation of Next 
Generation; directs the Administrator to establish and 
implement a safety assessment system for foreign repair 
stations that perform maintenance on U.S. aircraft; requires 
the Secretary to develop a plan for the safe integration of 
commercial unmanned aircraft systems into the National airspace 
system in an expedited fashion, and in coordination with other 
Federal agencies; authorizes funding for EAS in Alaska and 
Hawaii given their unique nature but repeals the EAS Local 
Participation Program, terminating the EAS program on October 
1, 2013; increases from 24 to 34 the number of slots exempt 
from specified requirements and prohibitions concerning 
operation of an aircraft nonstop between Ronald Reagan 
Washington National Airport and another airport more than 1,250 
statute miles away (Perimeter Rule limit); revises FAA 
personnel management system requirements with respect to the 
mediation, alternative resolution, and binding arbitration of 
disputes between the Administrator and FAA employees about 
implementation of proposed changes to the system; directs the 
Administrator to provide for the realignment of FAA services 
and facilities to facilitate NextGen air traffic control 
modernization; Prohibits finalization of onerous regulations 
regarding the shipment of lithium batteries; amends the Railway 
Labor Act to grant the DOT Inspector General the authority to 
review National Mediation Board operations to determine 
compliance with Federal laws, rules, and regulations; and 
extends the moratorium on FAA regulation of experimental space 
vehicles.

    Title:  The Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part 
II
    Public Law Number: P.L. 112-16 (May 31, 2011)
    Bill Number: H.R. 1893
    Summary: The most recent long-term FAA reauthorization act, 
Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-
176), expired September 30, 2007. During the 110th and 111th 
Congresses, the House and Senate were unable to reach agreement 
on a final, long-term reauthorization. In April 2011, the House 
passed H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 
2011. In February 2011, the Senate passed its own comprehensive 
FAA reauthorization act. To allow the two chambers time to 
negotiate a multi-year FAA reauthorization act, Congress passed 
a 60-day extension of the FAA's authority to administer 
aviation programs and to receive tax proceeds. The prior 
extension expired on May 31, 2011. H.R. 1893 extended that 
authority through June 30, 2011. The bill extends the 
authorization of appropriations for aviation programs, excise 
taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and 
property, and the expenditure authority of the Airport and 
Airway Trust Fund. This legislation also extends, various 
airport development projects, including: (1) the pilot program 
for passenger facility fees at non-hub airports, (2) small 
airport grants for airports located in the Marshall Islands, 
Micronesia, and Palau, (3) state and local airport land use 
compatibility projects, (4) the authority of the Metropolitan 
Washington Airports Authority to apply for an airport 
development grant and impose a passenger facility fee, (5) the 
temporary increase to 95 percent in the government share of 
certain Airport Improvement Program (AIP) project costs, and 
(6) Midway Island airport development. It also extends AIP 
projects and project grant authority.

        Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation

    To date, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation, chaired by Representative Frank A. LoBiondo 
with Representative Rick Larsen serving as ranking member, held 
five hearings (15 witnesses and approximately ten hours of 
testimony) covering a diverse portfolio of issues within the 
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.

                                HEARINGS

    Title: Improving Oil Spill Prevention and Response, 
Restoring Jobs, and Ensuring Our Energy Security: 
Recommendations from the National Commission on the BP 
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling
    Date: February 11, 2011
    Purpose: A joint hearing between the Subcommittees on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation and Water Resources and 
Environment to receive testimony regarding improvements that 
can be made to oil spill prevention and response plans and 
programs.
    Summary: In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 
the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 
and Offshore Drilling was created to find the root cause of the 
accident and issue recommendations on how to prevent such 
disasters and improve response in the future. The Commission 
issued their report on January 11, 2011, and it contained 14 
specific recommendations that fell under the jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
    The Subcommittees heard testimony from Dr. Donald F. Boesch 
and Mr. Terry D. Garcia, members of the National Commission on 
the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, and 
Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen (Ret.), who was the National 
Incident Commander for the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill 
response. The witnesses' testimonies revolved around the 
recommendations from the report, which ranged from creating an 
independent agency within the Department of Interior to enforce 
regulations on offshore drilling, to raising the liability cap 
on oil production facilities, to increasing communication 
between Federal agencies and local governments during a Spill 
of National Significance.

    Title: A Review of the Administration's FY 12 Budget 
Requests for the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Maritime Commission, 
and Federal Maritime Administration; Finding Ways To Do More 
with Less
    Date: March 1, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from Admiral Robert J. Papp, 
Jr., Commandant of the Coast Guard, Master Chief Michael P. 
Leavitt, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, the 
Honorable Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., Chairman of the Federal 
Maritime Commission, and the Honorable David T. Matsuda, 
Administrator of the Maritime Administration regarding the 
Obama Administration's budget requests for FY 12 for the Coast 
Guard, Federal Maritime Commission, and Maritime 
Administration.
    Summary: The President released his annual budget requests 
for the following fiscal year in early March. The witnesses 
testified to the effects the budget requests would have on 
their agencies if enacted. Notable cuts in the Coast Guard 
budget requests include a 7.4% decrease in funding for the 
Acquisition, Construction and Improvements account from this 
fiscal year's continuing resolution, as well as a 20% decrease 
in the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation account. In 
addition, the Administration requested one High Endurance 
Cutter be decommissioned as well as the USCGC POLAR SEA, one of 
the Coast Guard's two Class I icebreakers. The Subcommittee and 
the witnesses examined the direct and long-term effects on the 
Coast Guard's overall mission effectiveness as a result of 
these cuts.

    Title: Assuring the Freedom of Americans on the High Seas: 
The United States' Response to Piracy
    Date: March 16, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from Coast Guard Admiral Kevin 
Cook, Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, 
Security, and Stewardship, Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Counternarcotics and Global Threats William 
Wechsler, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for 
Political and Military Affairs Kurt Amend, and GAO Director of 
Maritime and Coast Guard Issues Stephen L. Caldwell, regarding 
ways to improve the Federal government's efforts to safeguard 
American lives and property on the high seas against acts of 
piracy, with specific attention being given towards the high 
volume of piratical attacks occurring off the Horn of Africa.
    Summary: The sailing vessel QUEST with four American 
citizens onboard was transiting the Gulf of Aden in early 
February 2011 and was attacked and the crew taken hostage. 
During the negotiations, all four American hostages were killed 
by the pirates. This incident, along with an estimated 87 other 
pirate attacks against vessels on the high seas this calendar 
year, led the Subcommittee to examine all aspects of pirate 
operations, from the land-based ``pirate academy'' that now 
exists on the coast of Somalia to pirate operations using 
larger ``mother ships'' to vastly extend their range in which 
they can attack vessels of opportunity. The State Department 
also testified in regards to the ransom process and ways in 
which the U.S. government can track ransom payments to find 
those profiting from acts of piracy on the high seas.

    Title: Improving and Streamlining the Coast Guard's 
Acquisition Program
    Date: April 13, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from Coast Guard Vice Admiral 
John Currier, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, and from 
Mr. John P. Hutton, Director of Acquisition and Sourcing 
Management for the GAO, regarding the current status of the 
Coast Guard's acquisition programs, as well as a review of the 
policies and procedures the Service uses to determine mission 
needs requirements and the correct types and number of assets 
needed to meet those requirements.
    Summary: The hearing focused on the Coast Guard's latest 
acquisition program after the failed Deepwater program that 
started in 2002 was essentially scrapped and replaced in 2007 
with an in-house acquisitions directorate. The current 
acquisition program includes significant process improvements 
over the Lead System Integrator processes used under Deepwater. 
However, major Coast Guard acquisitions still face significant 
cost overruns and schedule delays. Specifically, the 
Subcommittee questioned the Coast Guard on its unreasonable 
expectation of future funding. In addition, the Coast Guard has 
experienced major delays and mismanagement of development and 
delivery of its National Security Cutters that were a part of 
the original Deepwater program. The Subcommittee looked into 
the acquisition process that led to the delays and cost 
overruns.
    The Subcommittee also examined a report issued by the GAO 
on the Coast Guard's acquisition process. In the report, the 
GAO made several recommendations to reduce bureaucratic 
inefficiencies within the Coast Guard's acquisition directorate 
to reduce cost overruns and delays. The Subcommittee questioned 
the Coast Guard and the GAO on ways these recommendations can 
be implemented.

    Title: Creating U.S. Maritime Industry Jobs by Reducing 
Regulatory Burdens
    Date: May 24, 2011
    Purpose: Receive testimony from Coast Guard Rear Admiral 
Kevin Cook, Director of Prevention Policy, and from Mr. Calvin 
Lederer, Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Coast Guard, 
regarding the status of the Coast Guard maritime rulemaking 
process. The hearing focused on specific rules and regulations 
that are unnecessarily burdensome to the maritime industry.
    Summary: Members of the Subcommittee were particularly 
interested in a proposed rule by the Coast Guard that would 
expand the Notice and Arrival and Departure and Automatic 
Identification System requirements to many smaller commercial 
vessels operating in U.S. navigable waters. Members were 
concerned the regulation would seriously hinder the ability of 
smaller commercial vessels to conduct normal operations in the 
coastwise trade that typically respond to short notice supply 
and demand schedules. In addition, Members were concerned that 
oil rigs operating offshore that need short notice servicing 
would not be able to do so under the proposed regulation.
    The Subcommittee also looked at ways in which the Coast 
Guard can reduce its backlog of rulemaking projects as required 
by enacted laws. Despite the expansion of the rulemaking staff 
in the Coast Guard in 2009, there remains a significant backlog 
of proposed rules that have been required by previous 
legislation. This backlog creates uncertainty in the maritime 
industry and has an effect on domestic trade. The Subcommittee 
questioned the witnesses on ways to reduce this uncertainty 
that is dampening the creation of U.S. maritime jobs.

    Title: Creating Jobs and Increasing U.S. Exports by 
Enhancing the Marine Transportation System
    Date: June 14, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from the Honorable David 
Matsuda, Administrator of the Maritime Administration, Mr. 
Joseph J. Cox, President & CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of 
America, Mr. Michael Roberts, Chief Counsel of the Crowley 
Maritime Corporation and testifying on behalf of the American 
Maritime Partnership, Mr. Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice 
President of the Seafarers International Union, and Mr. John 
Mohr, Executive Director of the Port of Everett, WA, regarding 
ways to increase U.S. exports and U.S. commerce by increasing 
coastwise and international trade through the U.S. marine 
transportation system.
    Summary: The Subcommittee heard from various U.S. maritime 
industry stakeholders and the head of the Maritime 
Administration on various ways to enhance and expand the U.S. 
marine transportation system and create U.S. maritime jobs 
without burdening the American taxpayer. The Jones Act was 
specifically targeted by both members and witnesses alike as 
being a key component in preserving American maritime jobs and 
the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Other issues examined included 
Cargo Preference Laws that require certain percentage of 
government impelled cargo to be carried on U.S. owned, U.S. 
flagged, U.S. crewed, and U.S. built vessels.

 Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency 
                               Management

    To date, the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public 
Buildings, and Emergency Management, chaired by Representative 
Jeff Denham with Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton serving as 
Ranking Member, held nine Subcommittee hearings (38 witnesses 
and approximately 18 hours). The Subcommittee also held one 
markup session.

                                HEARINGS

    Title: Sitting on Our Assets: Cutting Spending and Private 
Redevelopment of Underperforming Buildings
    Date: February 10, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the costs to the taxpayer of 
underperforming or vacant assets, models for their 
redevelopment or reuse, and how spending can be reduced through 
private redevelopment of underperforming assets. The hearing 
was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for oversight of 
real property management and Clause 2(n) of House Rule XI on 
waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement of government programs.
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from the 
General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Services 
Commissioner, the director of the Physical Infrastructure Team 
of the GAO, and the Chairman of the 2005 DoD Base Realignment 
and Closure (BRAC) Commission.
    This field hearing was held at the Annex of the Old Post 
Office Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. in downtown 
Washington. The Old Post Office Building is just one example of 
a poorly managed federal property. The Annex, which was built 
with $1.8 million in government funding in addition to millions 
in private funds, has been unoccupied for 10 years. According 
to reports, the maintenance of the vacant Annex costs taxpayers 
$6.5 million each year.
    GSA testified in agreement that the Old Post Office 
Building Annex was a commercial failure and that it would 
transform the asset for better use and to put up a Request for 
Proposals for private redevelopment. GSA told the Subcommittee 
that it was taking the necessary steps to aggressively renovate 
and reuse other underperforming federal properties across the 
country. The Chairman of the 2005 BRAC Commission explained the 
process for the past realignment of military installations and 
how it could be applied to civilian property in order to 
maximize value from underperforming assets.

    Title: Managing Costs and Mitigating Delays in the Building 
of Social Security's New National Computer Center
    Date: February 11, 2011
    Purpose: A joint oversight hearing between the Subcommittee 
on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency 
Management and the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on 
Social Security to receive testimony on the site selection and 
construction of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) new 
national computer processing and data storage facility to 
replace the National Computer Center (NCC), currently located 
in Woodlawn, Maryland. The hearing was conducted pursuant to 
the Committee's plan of supervision for the construction and 
renovation of federal property under the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009.
    Summary: The Subcommittees received testimony from the 
Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, the 
deputy commissioner of the GSA Public Buildings Service, and 
the deputy commissioner of Systems for the SSA.
    The Subcommittees previously held a joint hearing on the 
new NCC on December 15, 2009. The new facility is funded from 
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided $500 
million for the project. The replacement of the NCC is the 
single largest building project funded under the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
    The Subcommittees were concerned with delays in site 
selection and its effect on the project's budget. GSA testified 
that it had selected a site at Urbana in Frederick County, 
Maryland, in early February 2011 and was beginning the process 
for design/build construction solicitation. GSA noted that the 
project remained on budget but pushed back the construction 
completion date from October 2013 to September 2014. SSA 
detailed aspects of the Information Technology (IT) workload 
for the new NCC, which will take responsibility for certifying 
payments of over $60 billion a month to 50 million American 
seniors.

    Title: American Presidential Libraries: Their Mission and 
Their Future
    Date: February 28, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony in a joint hearing between the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on presidential 
libraries.
    Summary: The Committees received testimony from the 
Archivist of the United States, directors of presidential 
libraries, a family member of a former president, and an 
historian. With over two million visitors per year, the 
presidential libraries are national treasures that serve as 
centers for the study of the executive branch and individual 
presidents by historians, students, and the general public. 
Testimony from witnesses focused on the relationship between 
the Federal government and our nation's public and private 
presidential libraries. Witnesses examined the future role of 
the government and other cooperative relationships that will 
assist these vital institutions. Specific topics of discussion 
included the digitalization of presidential materials and the 
role of newer technology in the mission of the libraries. 
Presidential Library directors also elaborated on how the 
enormous volume of presidential correspondence, memoranda, and 
other documents are processed by archivists. The cost of 
maintaining library facilities throughout the nation by the 
Federal government was also discussed. Relating to this topic, 
the benefits and shortfalls of a central repository for 
presidential materials located in Washington, D.C. were debated 
by the participants.

    Title: Cutting Spending and Consolidating Federal Office 
Space: GSA's Capital Investment and Leasing Program
    Date: March 10, 2011
    Purpose: Receive testimony on GSA's Capital Investment and 
Leasing Program (CILP) including alteration, design, 
modernization, construction, leasing and building purchase 
activities. The hearing was conducted pursuant to the 
Committee's plan for oversight of real property management and 
the Federal Buildings Fund (FBF).
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from the 
commissioner of GSA's Public Building Service (PBS). The CILP 
provides the necessary resources to maintain current real 
property assets and acquire new or replacement assets, through 
ownership or leasing. The President's FY 12 Budget requests a 
total of $9.5 billion in new obligational authority for the FBF 
to fund various projects. At the hearing, the PBS Commissioner 
testified about its requests for $840 million for new 
construction projects including five new land ports of entry, 
FBI consolidation in San Juan, PR, and the St. Elizabeth's DHS 
consolidation in Washington, D.C. GSA also requested more than 
$395 million in funding for repairs and alterations.

    Title: Improving the Nation's Response to Catastrophic 
Disasters: How to Minimize Costs and Streamline our Emergency 
Management Programs
    Date: March 30, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on how to better respond to 
disasters in the wake of the catastrophic earthquakes that 
devastated Japan in early March 2011. The hearing was conducted 
pursuant to the Committee's Oversight Plan for streamlining 
emergency management programs.
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from 
representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA), the U.S. Forest Service, the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission (NRC), the American Red Cross, and state and local 
emergency managers.
    This hearing was held in response to the catastrophic 
earthquakes that devastated Japan in early March 2011. It 
specifically focused on using better coordination between 
local, state, and federal authorities. With saving lives being 
the top priority in disaster recoveries, minimizing costs and 
cutting the bureaucratic red tape are also of utmost 
importance.
    FEMA testified on improvements made to disaster 
preparedness through its ``Whole Community'' approach. This 
program recognizes that FEMA is not the nation's sole emergency 
management team and to achieve maximum effectiveness in 
preparedness and recovery, FEMA must work with the entire 
emergency management community. FEMA also touched upon its 
national public service campaign, Ready. The program partners 
with the Advertising Council to educate and empower Americans 
to prepare for and respond to all emergencies, including 
natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The goal of 
the campaign is to get the public involved and to increase the 
level of basic preparedness across the nation.

    Title: Can a Civilian BRAC Commission Consolidate Federal 
Office Space and Save Taxpayers Billions?
    Date: April 6, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on whether a civilian BRAC 
process can effectively consolidate federal office space, 
maximize value to the taxpayer, and save taxpayers billions. 
The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for 
oversight of real property management and Clause 2(n) of House 
Rule XI on waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement of government 
programs.
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from the 
Office of Management and Budget, the GSA, the GAO, and the 
Chairman of the 2005 DoD BRAC Commission.
    In FY 2009, the Federal government spent $1.7 billion in 
annual operating costs for underutilized buildings and $134 
million annually for excess buildings. A civilian BRAC process, 
which would establish a fair process of evaluating federal 
space needs, has the potential to save the taxpayers billions 
of dollars by addressing the currently underutilized federal 
real property and over-reliance on costly leasing. GAO conducts 
biennial reviews on high-risk areas within the Federal 
government to bring focus to specific areas needing added 
attention and oversight. Areas are identified as ``high'' risk 
due to their greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, 
and mismanagement or areas that need broad-based transformation 
to address major economic, efficiency, or effectiveness 
challenges. Unfortunately, despite executive orders and 
memoranda issued during two administrations and acts of 
Congress intended to improve the management of federal real 
property, these problems persist. GAO acknowledged that while 
the government works to improve its real property planning the 
government still has not made significant reductions in excess 
property. GAO added that a process similar to DoD's BRAC 
Commission could help move this program forward.

    Title: Richard H. Poff Federal Building Renovation: Is it 
Costing the Taxpayer Too Much?
    Date: April 14, 2011
    Purpose: Receive testimony on the renovation and 
modernization of the Richard H. Poff Federal Building, located 
in Roanoke, Virginia. The hearing was conducted pursuant to the 
Committee's plan of supervision for the construction and 
renovation of federal property under the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from 
Congressman Bob Goodlatte, the Mid-Atlantic Regional 
Administrator of the GSA, the Inspector General of GSA, and the 
Clerk of the U.S. District Court of Western Virginia.
    The costs of the Poff Federal Building renovation are 
projected to exceed the project's estimated $51 million price 
tag by $10-15 million or more. According to the GSA, the 
purpose of the project is to update building systems and 
improve its emergency efficiency by incorporating ``greening'' 
elements. Included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment 
Act was $5.5 billion for the FBF of the GSA. The American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act designated $4.5 billion of those 
funds for converting GSA buildings into High Performance Green 
Buildings, as defined by the Energy Independence and Security 
Act (EISA) of 2007. The Richard H. Poff Federal Building (Poff 
Federal Building) is included in GSA's Spend Plan as an 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project. The property is 
located in Roanoke, Virginia and was constructed in 1975. It 
has approximately 316,000 gross square feet of space and is 
occupied by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (49%), the 
U.S. courts and U.S. Marshals (36%), and other agencies (15%). 
Congressman Goodlatte has expressed concerns and has followed 
up with GSA and the GSA IG on a number of these issues, such as 
to the cost-benefit analysis related to some of the greening 
elements, whether the renovation costs are reasonable, whether 
renovation was the most cost-effective solution for meeting the 
tenants' space needs, and the impact of the construction on the 
tenant agencies. In addition, Senators Webb and Warner, both of 
Virginia, have also expressed concerns, particularly regarding 
the impact of the renovation on current tenants.

    Title: How to Stop Sitting on Our Assets: A Review of the 
Civilian Property Realignment Act
    Date: May 12, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on specific legislative 
proposals to employ a BRAC-like process to civilian properties 
to produce significant savings to the taxpayer. The hearing was 
conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for oversight of 
real property management and waste, fraud, abuse or 
mismanagement of government programs.
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from the 
Office of Management and Budget, the Department of State, the 
Chairman of the 2005 DoD BRAC Commission and the private 
sector.
    H.R. 1734, the Civilian Property Realignment Act, was 
introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Denham on May 4, 2011. 
The legislation would establish a framework through which a 
board or commission would independently review federal 
properties and make recommendations for consolidations, co-
locations, redevelopment, selling or other actions to minimize 
costs and produce savings for the taxpayer. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) estimates that the proposal could 
save taxpayers more than $15 billion.
    The Administration submitted a similar proposal for a 
civilian BRAC in early 2011. The OMB Controller testified that 
the differences between the Denham and Administration proposals 
are bridgeable and that he looked forward to continuing to work 
together to establish a civilian BRAC process. H.R. 1734, would 
create a nine member commission appointed by the President and 
confirmed by the Senate with input from House and Senate 
leadership. The Administration's proposal requires Federal 
agencies to send information and initial recommendations to the 
Board. H.R. 1734 would require initial recommendations 
submitted to the Commission be compiled through GSA, in 
consultation with the chairperson of the Federal Real Property 
Council, and analyzed against standardized criteria that are 
consistent with the standards detailed in the legislation and 
published in the Federal Register. The Administration's 
proposal includes additional provisions for an annual review of 
the postal field offices and an annual assessment of the assets 
owned or managed by the State Department's Bureau of Overseas 
Building Operations. The Administration's proposal terminates 
the Board in 12 years. H.R. 1734 terminates the Commission in 6 
years. H.R. 1734 also mandates an independent leasing authority 
and requires that agencies seeking to lease space for the 
purposes of a public building work through GSA to acquire such 
space. The witnesses stressed the importance of private sector 
participation and expertise to the success of the initiative. 
The managing partner of JBG Companies, which invests, develops, 
and manages commercial real estate in the Washington area, 
testified if the private sector sees progress with a civilian 
BRAC process and the opportunity to work with the Federal 
government, many would ``come out of the woodwork'' with 
proposals to better utilize Federal properties and save 
taxpayers money.

    Title: The Securities and Exchange Commission's $500 
Million Fleecing of America
    Date: June 16, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the Securities and Exchange 
Commission's (SEC) management of its independent authority to 
lease space and the May 16, 2011, SEC Inspector General (IG) 
report related to SEC's lease procurement of 900,000 square 
feet of space under a 10-year lease worth over $500 million. 
The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for 
oversight of agencies with independent leasing authority and 
Clause 2(n) of House Rule XI on waste, fraud, abuse or 
mismanagement of government programs.
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from the SEC, 
the SEC Inspector General, and the GSA.
    On July 28, 2010, the SEC entered into a sole source lease 
for 900,000 square feet of space with an option to lease 
500,000 additional square feet at Constitution Center located 
at 7th and D Streets, S.W., in Washington, D.C. The SEC's 
rationale for the need for new space related to passage of 
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 
(Dodd-Frank), which expanded SEC's responsibilities. The $556 
million lease was ``negotiated'' in three business days and 
signed on July 28, 2010, and not long after it was signed 
questions were raised regarding whether the SEC needed the 
space. The building is owned by David Nassif Associates 
(Landlord) and is the former location of the DOT headquarters. 
The building was completely renovated by the Landlord to be a 
modern, efficient class-A office building, reportedly exceeding 
Level IV security standards and is expected to be rated LEED 
Gold, a top green building certification. Following reports of 
the lease agreement, the SEC IG initiated an investigation into 
the lease. On May 16, 2011, the SEC IG concluded its 
investigation and, at the request of the Subcommittee, the SEC 
released the report to the Subcommittee.

                          ENACTED LEGISLATION

    Title: To designate the United States Courthouse under 
construction at 98 West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, as the 
``John M. Roll United States Courthouse''
    Public Law Number: P.L. 112-2 (February 17, 2011)
    Bill Number: S. 188
    Summary: The law designated the United States Courthouse 
under construction at 98 West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, as 
the John M. Roll United States Courthouse.
    Judge John M. Roll was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 
1947. After moving to Arizona, he studied at the University of 
Arizona, where he received both his undergraduate and law 
degrees. His distinguished legal career spanned nearly forty 
years and included prosecutorial positions at the city, county, 
and federal levels. Roll began his career by serving as an 
assistant city attorney in Tucson, Arizona and later as deputy 
county attorney in Pima County, Arizona. He was later appointed 
a state judge and served on the Arizona Court of Appeals, where 
he became vice-chief judge. In 1991, Roll was nominated to the 
federal bench by President George H.W. Bush. In 2006, he was 
elevated to chief judge of the U.S. District Court of Arizona.
    On January 8, 2011, Judge Roll was assassinated in a 
shooting massacre at an Arizona supermarket that left six 
people dead and thirteen wounded, including Congresswoman 
Gabrielle Giffords of Tucson.

    Title: To designate the Federal building and United States 
Courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West 
Virginia, as the W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and 
United States Courthouse
    Public Law Number: P.L. 112-11 (April 25, 2011)
    S. Number: S. 307
    Summary: The law designates the Federal Building and the 
United States Courthouse located at 217 West King Street, 
Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the ``W. Craig Broadwater 
Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''
    Judge Broadwater was born on August 8, 1950 in Elk City, 
Oklahoma. He attended West Virginia University, where he earned 
his undergraduate and law degrees. He spent several years in 
private practice until he was appointed as a state circuit 
judge. In 1996, President Clinton nominated him to the federal 
bench in the Northern District of West Virginia and he was 
confirmed by the Senate.
    In addition to his time as a U.S. District Court judge, 
Broadwater was a decorated military officer. After being 
commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1972, he began his career with 
a tour in Korea as an Army Military Intelligence Officer. 
Broadwater continued his service with the West Virginia 
National Guard, where he eventually rose to the rank of 
Brigadier General. His awards included the Defense Superior 
Service Medal and the Bronze Star.
    Judge Broadwater died on December 18, 2006 after a long 
battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife and three 
children.

    Title: Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
    Resolution Number: H. Con. Res. 16 (Passed the House on May 
11, 2011)
    Summary: H. Con. Res. 16 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

    Title: Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 
National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
    Resolution Number: H. Con. Res. 46 (Passed the House on May 
11, 2011)
    Summary: H. Con. Res. 46 permits the Grand Lodge of the 
Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary to sponsor a free 
public event, the 30th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
Service, on the Capitol grounds on May 15, 2011, to honor the 
law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 
2010.

                           OTHER LEGISLATION

    Title: To re-designate the Federal building and United 
States Courthouse located at 200 East Wall Street in Midland, 
Texas, as the ``George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush United 
States Courthouse and George Mahon Federal Building''
    Bill Number: H.R. 362 (Passed the House on May 2, 2011)
    Summary: H.R. 362 re-designates the Federal building and 
United States Courthouse located at 200 East Wall Street in 
Midland, Texas, as the George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush 
United States Courthouse and George Mahon Federal Building.
    The former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush 
have honorably served this nation for many decades. President 
George H.W. Bush dedicated his life to public service. His 
public service began when he was just 18 and enlisted in the 
armed forces. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy when he 
earned his wings and flew 58 combat missions, receiving the 
Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action after getting 
shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
    Later, he was elected to Congress as a representative from 
the state of Texas and served in this chamber for two terms. 
Subsequently, he served in various other public service 
positions critical to the nation, including as Ambassador to 
the United Nations, as Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in 
China, and as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He 
was later elected Vice President in 1982 and stood by President 
Ronald Reagan's side for eight years, contributing to the 
policies that brought the Cold War to an end. In 1988, he was 
elected the 41st President of the United States. During his 
term in office, he skillfully navigated the diplomacy with new 
nations created following the breakup of the Soviet Union and 
helped to overthrow and bring to justice the corrupt Manuel 
Noriega regime in Panama. In February 2011 President George 
H.W. Bush was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by 
President Barack Obama. This award is the highest civilian 
honor given for ``an especially meritorious contribution to the 
security or national interests of the United States, world 
peace, cultural, or other significant public or private 
endeavors.''
    In 2000, his son, George W. Bush, followed in his footsteps 
when he was elected the 43rd President of the United States, 
after serving six years as the Governor of Texas. President 
George W. Bush led our Nation in response to the worst 
terrorist attack on our soil. He helped to unite the Nation 
after the 9-11 terrorist attacks and, under his leadership, led 
the reforms of our intelligence and security capabilities to 
better counter this unconventional threat. During his two 
terms, he effectuated the overthrow of a dictator in Iraq and 
removed the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, upsetting a key 
staging ground for Al-Qaida and bringing democracy to an 
oppressed country.

    Title: To direct the Administrator of General Services to 
transfer administrative jurisdiction, custody, and control of 
the building located at 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., in the 
District of Columbia, to the National Gallery of Art, and for 
other purposes.
    Bill Number: H.R. 690 (Ordered reported on February 16, 
2011)
    Summary: H.R. 690, the Federal Trade Commission and 
National Gallery of Art Facility Consolidation, Savings, and 
Efficiency Act of 2011, requires the Administrator of GSA, not 
later than December 31, 2014, to transfer administrative 
jurisdiction, custody, and control of the building located at 
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C., to the 
National Gallery of Art (NGA) and to name such building as the 
North Building of the National Gallery of Art. The legislation 
requires the National Gallery of Art to pay the costs of 
remodeling, renovating, or reconstructing such building. The 
Administrator of GSA also must relocate the offices of the 
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to other modernized buildings in 
Washington, D.C., that are owned by the Federal government.
    H.R. 690 saves the taxpayers an estimated $300 million in 
avoided renovation and lease costs of the FTC and NGA. 
Additional benefits include $200 million in non-taxpayer 
renovations of the Apex Building by the NGA. The Apex building 
will be utilized more efficiently by the NGA, as currently only 
a little more than half of the facility's 306,000 square feet 
is usable for FTC operations.

    Title: Committee Resolution--To reduce facility costs by 
consolidating National Gallery of Art and Federal Trade 
Commission operations in the District of Columbia
    Date: February 16, 2011 (Approved by Full Committee)
    Summary: Expressed the Committee's view that the GSA shall 
transfer administrative jurisdiction and custody and control of 
the building located at 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, D.C. to the National Gallery of Art and relocate 
the Federal Trade Commission, currently located at 600 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.

    Title: The Civilian Property Realignment Act
    Bill Number: H.R. 1734 (Ordered reported favorably to the 
Full Committee on May 25, 2011)
    Summary: H.R. 1734 was introduced by Subcommittee Chairman 
Jeff Denham on May 4, 2011. The legislation would establish a 
framework through which a board or commission would 
independently review Federal properties and make 
recommendations for consolidations, co-locations, 
redevelopment, selling or other actions to minimize costs and 
produce savings for the taxpayer. OMB estimates that the 
proposal could save taxpayers more than $15 billion.

                 Subcommittee on Highways and Transit 

    To date, the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, chaired 
by Representative John J. Duncan, Jr., with Peter A. DeFazio 
serving as Ranking Member, held three hearings (52 witnesses 
and approximately 10 hours), covering numerous issues within 
the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.

                                HEARINGS

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Beckley, West Virginia Field Hearing
    Date: February 14, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of West Virginia, and the local 
area surrounding Beckley. Pursuant to the belief that the best 
ideas come outside of Washington, and that state and local 
governments know their needs best, the Committee held multiple 
field hearings and listening sessions across the country in 
order to gather specific policy proposals for reauthorization 
of the Federal surface transportation programs.
    Summary: This field hearing was part of the Committee's 
effort to gather ideas and policy proposals to prepare for the 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs 
under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on September 30, 2009, but was 
extended through September 30, 2011. The Committee received 
testimony from the West Virginia Secretary of Transportation, 
an executive director of a contractors association, an 
executive director of an expressway authority, an executive 
director of a highway authority, an executive director of a 
county redevelopment authority, and a program director of a 
transportation institute. The witnesses discussed specific 
suggestions and policy proposals to improve and reform the 
nation's surface transportation programs.
    DOT currently administers over 100 highway, transit, and 
highway safety programs, many of which serve duplicative 
purposes or are no longer needed. The hearing focused on ways 
to consolidate or eliminate these duplicative or unnecessary 
programs and study performance management approaches that 
increase the accountability and transparency of Federal surface 
transportation funds, as well as creative financing solutions 
and private sector investment into transportation projects.
    With the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) expected to run out of 
money in 2013, innovative financing tools and private sector 
investment in financing surface transportation projects were 
methods the Committee discussed with the witnesses and will 
explore to help the Federal government and states find ways to 
do more with less and better leverage existing revenue sources. 
The hearing also focused on potential reforms to the project 
delivery process and explored what improvements could be made 
to existing rules and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to expedite the delivery process for all projects and 
reduce the cost of transportation projects.

    Title: Accelerating the Project Delivery Process: 
Eliminating Bureaucratic Red Tape and Making Every Dollar Count
    Date: February 15, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony related to improving the 
existing laws and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to accelerate the delivery process for surface 
transportation projects. The hearing was part of the 
Subcommittee's efforts to reauthorize federal surface 
transportation programs under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on 
September 30, 2009, but was extended through September 30, 
2011.
    Summary: Limited financial resources for transportation 
infrastructure can be more effectively utilized by speeding up 
the process for project approval. According to the ``Highway 
Planning and Project Development Process'' timeline put 
together by the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal 
project delivery process can take up to 15 years from planning 
through construction. An analysis conducted by the National 
Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Committee found that 
a $500 million project that took 14 years to complete would see 
its cost double due to the impact of delays and inflation.
    The Subcommittee heard testimony from Victor Mendez, 
Administrator of the FHWA, Debra L. Miller, Secretary of the 
Kansas DOT on behalf of the American Association of State 
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Will Kempton, 
Chief Executive Officer of the Orange County Transportation 
Authority, Tom Margro, Chief Executive Officer of the 
Transportation Corridor Agencies, and Michael Replogle, Global 
Policy Director and Founder of the Institute for Transportation 
and Development Policy.
    The Subcommittee heard testimony specifically relating to 
streamlining and cutting redtape that so often hinders the 
cost-effectiveness of surface transportation projects. The 
Subcommittee discussed with the witnesses the improvements that 
could be made to existing rules and regulations governing 
project delivery in order to expedite the delivery process for 
all projects and reduce the cost of transportation projects. As 
the reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation 
programs moves forward, the Subcommittee will look at potential 
reforms to the project delivery process.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Columbus, Ohio Field Hearing
    Date: February 19, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of Ohio, and the local area 
surrounding Columbus. Pursuant to the belief that the best 
ideas come outside of Washington, and that state and local 
governments know their needs best, the Committee held multiple 
field hearings and listening sessions across the country in 
order to gather specific policy proposals for reauthorization 
of the Federal surface transportation programs.
    Summary: This field hearing was part of the Committee's 
effort to gather ideas and policy proposals to prepare for the 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs 
under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on September 30, 2009, but was 
extended through September 30, 2011. The Committee received 
testimony from the State Director of the Ohio DOT, a president 
of a local construction company, a local county engineer, a 
local mayor, a chairman of a railcar company, and several other 
witnesses representing different interests within the 
transportation community. The witnesses discussed specific 
suggestions and policy proposals to improve and reform the 
nation's surface transportation programs.
    With the HTF expected to run out of money in 2013, 
innovative financing tools and private sector investment in 
financing surface transportation projects were methods the 
Committee discussed with the witnesses and will explore to help 
the Federal government and states find ways to do more with 
less and better leverage existing revenue sources. The hearing 
also focused on potential reforms to the project delivery 
process and explored what improvements could be made to 
existing rules and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to expedite the delivery process for all projects and 
reduce the cost of transportation projects.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs to Support Job Creation and the Economy
    Date: February 23, 2011
    Committee: A joint hearing between the Subcommittee on 
Highways and Transit and the U.S. Senate Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
    Purpose: Received testimony in a joint hearing in Los 
Angeles, California, with the U.S. Senate on the local 
transportation challenges facing Southern California and the 
State of California. This bi-cameral field hearing was part of 
the Committee's effort to gather ideas and policy proposals to 
prepare for the reauthorization of the Federal surface 
transportation programs under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on 
September 30, 2009, but was extended through September 30, 
2011.
    Summary: Pursuant to the belief that the best ideas come 
outside of Washington, and that state and local governments 
know their needs best, the Committee held this hearing in 
conjunction with the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and 
Public Works in an effort to receive testimony from a number of 
representatives from different transportation industries. The 
Committee received testimony from the Mayor of Los Angeles, the 
State Director of the California DOT, a chief executive officer 
of a county transportation authority, two different executive 
directors of local transportation commissions, and several 
other transportation industry representatives. The witnesses 
provided the Committee with specific suggestions and policy 
proposals to improve and reform the nation's surface 
transportation programs.
    At the hearing, witnesses testified on the cash balance in 
the Highway Account of the HTF. The Highway Account had a 
balance of $22.55 billion at the end of FY 2000. The balance 
dropped to $13 billion by the expiration of TEA 21--the 
previous six-year surface transportation authorization--at the 
end of FY 2003. In September 2008 the balance in the Highway 
Account decreased to a level requiring Congress to transfer $8 
billion into the HTF from the General Fund. Subsequent General 
Fund transfers to the HTF in 2009 and 2010 totaled $26.5 
billion. Current projections show the cash balance in the 
Highway Account of the HTF will be depleted sometime in 2013 
and the Mass Transit Account will be depleted sometime in 2014.
    With the HTF expected to be depleted in 2013, the witnesses 
provided ideas for innovative financing tools and private 
investment in financing surface transportation projects, 
methods the Subcommittee will explore to help the Federal 
government and states find ways to do more with less and better 
leverage existing revenue sources. The Subcommittee also 
gathered ideas on potential reforms to the project delivery 
process and explored what improvements could be made to 
existing rules and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to expedite the delivery process for all projects and 
reduce the cost of transportation projects.
    DOT currently administers over 100 highway, transit, and 
highway safety programs, many of which serve duplicative 
purposes or are no longer needed. The Committee discussed with 
the witnesses approaches that would consolidate or eliminate 
duplicative or unnecessary programs. The Committee will study 
performance management approaches that increase the 
accountability and transparency of Federal surface 
transportation funds moving forward to ensure their 
effectiveness.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Field Hearing
    Date: February 24, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of Oklahoma, and the local area 
surrounding Oklahoma City. Pursuant to the belief that the best 
ideas come outside of Washington, and that state and local 
governments know best what they need, the Committee held 
multiple field hearings and listening sessions across the 
country in order to gather specific policy proposals for 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs.
    Summary: This field hearing was part of the Committee's 
effort to gather ideas and policy proposals to prepare for the 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs 
under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on September 30, 2009, but was 
extended through September 30, 2011. The Committee received 
testimony from the Governor of Oklahoma, the State Secretary of 
the Oklahoma DOT, presidents of local construction groups, a 
president of a safety group, and a transportation revenue 
group. The witnesses discussed specific ideas, suggestions and 
policy proposals to improve and reform the nation's surface 
transportation programs.
    At the hearing, witnesses testified on the cash balance in 
the Highway Account of the HTF. The Highway Account had a 
balance of $22.55 billion at the end of FY 2000. The balance 
dropped to $13 billion by the expiration of TEA 21--the 
previous six-year surface transportation authorization--at the 
end of FY 2003. In September 2008 the balance in the Highway 
Account decreased to a level requiring Congress to transfer $8 
billion into the HTF from the General Fund. Subsequent General 
Fund transfers to the HTF in 2009 and 2010 totaled $26.5 
billion. Current projections show the cash balance in the 
Highway Account of the HTF will be depleted sometime in 2013 
and the Mass Transit Account will be depleted sometime in 2014.
    With the HTF expected to be depleted in 2013, the witnesses 
provided ideas for innovative financing tools and private 
investment in financing surface transportation projects, 
methods the Subcommittee will explore to help the Federal 
government and states find ways to do more with less and better 
leverage existing revenue sources. The Subcommittee also 
gathered ideas on potential reforms to the project delivery 
process and explored what improvements could be made to 
existing rules and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to expedite the delivery process for all projects and 
reduce the cost of transportation projects.
    DOT currently administers over 100 highway, transit, and 
highway safety programs, many of which serve duplicative 
purposes or are no longer needed. The Committee discussed with 
the witnesses approaches that would consolidate or eliminate 
duplicative or unnecessary programs. The Committee will study 
performance management approaches that increase the 
accountability and transparency of Federal surface 
transportation funds moving forward to ensure their 
effectiveness.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Maitland, Florida Field Hearing
    Date: March 14, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing Florida, and the greater Orlando area. 
Pursuant to the belief that the best ideas come outside of 
Washington, and that state and local governments know best what 
they need, the Committee held multiple field hearings and 
listening sessions across the country in order to gather 
specific policy proposals for reauthorization of the Federal 
surface transportation programs.
    Summary: This field hearing was part of the Committee's 
effort to gather ideas and policy proposals to prepare for the 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs 
under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on September 30, 2009, but was 
extended through September 30, 2011. The Committee received 
testimony from an engineer from the Florida DOT, a president of 
a transportation builders association, a local county chairman, 
a local staff director of a metropolitan planning organization, 
a president of a high-speed rail company, a representative of 
the transportation disadvantaged community, and a partner from 
a national law firm. The witnesses discussed specific ideas, 
suggestions and policy proposals to improve and reform the 
nation's surface transportation programs.
    With the HTF expected to run out of money in 2013, 
innovative financing tools and private investment in financing 
surface transportation projects were discussed to help the 
Federal government and states find ways to do more with less 
and better leverage existing revenue sources. The witnesses 
also testified on potential reforms to the project delivery 
process and what improvements could be made to existing rules 
and regulations governing project delivery in order to expedite 
the delivery process for all projects and reduce the cost of 
transportation projects.
    DOT currently administers over 100 highway, transit, and 
highway safety programs, many of which serve duplicative 
purposes or are no longer needed. The Committee discussed with 
the witnesses approaches that would consolidate or eliminate 
duplicative or unnecessary programs. The Committee will study 
performance management approaches that increase the 
accountability and transparency of Federal surface 
transportation funds moving forward to ensure their 
effectiveness.

    Title: Improving and Reforming the Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs
    Date: March 29, 2011 and March 30, 2011
    Purpose: Received stakeholder testimony related to the 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs. 
These hearings were part of the Subcommittee's effort to 
reauthorize Federal surface transportation programs under 
SAFETEA-LU, which expired on September 30, 2009, but was 
extended through September 30, 2011.
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony regarding 
views and proposals on reauthorization of the Federal surface 
transportation programs from the surface transportation 
community, including highways, transit, highway safety and 
motor carrier safety interests. The witnesses offered ideas and 
suggestions for improving and reforming the nation's surface 
transportation programs.
    The Highway Account of the HTF had a balance of $22.55 
billion at the end of FY 2000. The balance dropped to $13 
billion by the expiration of TEA 21--the previous six-year 
surface transportation authorization--at the end of FY 2003. In 
September 2008, the balance in the Highway Account decreased to 
a level requiring Congress to transfer $8 billion into the HTF 
from the General Fund. Subsequent General Fund transfers to the 
HTF in 2009 and 2010 totaled $26.5 billion. Current projections 
show the cash balance in the Highway Account of the HTF will be 
depleted sometime in 2013 and the Mass Transit Account will be 
depleted sometime in 2014.
    With the HTF expected to be depleted in 2013, the witnesses 
provided ideas for innovative financing tools and private 
investment in financing surface transportation projects, 
methods the Subcommittee will explore to help the Federal 
government and states find ways to do more with less and better 
leverage existing revenue sources. The Subcommittee also 
gathered ideas on potential reforms to the project delivery 
process and explored what improvements could be made to 
existing rules and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to expedite the delivery process for all projects and 
reduce the cost of transportation projects.
    DOT currently administers over 100 highway, transit, and 
highway safety programs, many of which serve duplicative 
purposes or are no longer needed. The Subcommittee discussed 
with the witnesses approaches that would consolidate or 
eliminate duplicative or unnecessary programs. The Subcommittee 
will study performance management approaches that increase the 
accountability and transparency of Federal surface 
transportation funds moving forward to ensure their 
effectiveness.

    Title: Policy Proposals from Members of Congress to Reform 
the Nation's Surface Transportation Programs
    Date: April 5, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from Members of Congress on 
their policy proposals for the reauthorization of the Federal 
surface transportation programs. This hearing was part of the 
Subcommittee's effort to reauthorize Federal surface 
transportation programs under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on 
September 30, 2009, but was extended through September 30, 
2011.
    Summary: The Subcommittee received testimony from Members 
of Congress representing Ohio, California, Kentucky, New York, 
Texas, Oregon, North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and 
Pennsylvania who presented ideas and policy proposals for 
improving and reforming the Nation's surface transportation 
programs.
    Compounding the state, local, and private sector funding 
and financing shortfalls severely hinders the ability to 
adequately finance surface transportation programs. Members 
addressed the critical issue of Federal surface transportation 
funding and financing shortfalls the Nation faces. With the HTF 
expected to be depleted in 2013, Members provided the 
Subcommittee with innovative financing tool proposals and ideas 
for private investment in financing surface transportation 
projects; methods the Subcommittee will explore to help the 
Federal government and states find ways to do more with less 
and better leverage existing revenue sources. The Subcommittee 
also looked at potential reforms to the project delivery 
process by exploring what improvements could be made to 
existing rules and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to expedite the delivery process for all projects and 
reduce the cost of transportation projects.
    Members provided the Subcommittee with specific policy 
proposals that would streamline the project delivery process, 
develop a programmatic reform agenda, propose innovative 
financing solutions, and create a system of performance 
standards that increase transparency and accountability of 
Federal surface transportation funds. With the HTF expected to 
be depleted in 2013, Members provided the Subcommittee with 
innovative financing tools and private investment in financing 
surface transportation projects they supported and methods the 
Subcommittee will explore to help the Federal government and 
states find ways to do more with less and better leverage 
existing revenue sources.

    Title: How to Best Improve Bus Safety on Our Nation's 
Highways
    Date: June 13, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony related to improving the 
existing laws and regulations governing bus safety. The hearing 
was part of the Committee's effort to reauthorize Federal 
surface transportation programs under SAFETEA-LU, which expired 
on September 30, 2009, but was extended through September 30, 
2011.
    Summary: As a result of recent high profile bus accidents 
in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York, questions regarding the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) 
effectiveness in keeping unsafe ``rogue'' bus operators off the 
nation's highways were raised. The Committee received testimony 
from Anne S. Ferro, the Administrator of the FMCSA, Major David 
Palmer of the Texas Department of Public Safety on behalf of 
the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Peter Pantuso, 
President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Bus 
Association, Victor Parra, President and Chief Executive 
Officer of the United Motorcoach Association, and Jaqueline S. 
Gillan, Vice President of the Advocates for Highway and Auto 
Safety. The witnesses offered ideas and specific suggestions 
for improving and reforming motorcoach safety and the 
effectiveness of DOT in keeping unsafe operators off the 
nation's highways.
    As part of its Motorcoach Safety Action plan, the FMCSA and 
its state and local law enforcement partners conducted more 
than 3,000 surprise passenger carrier safety inspections over a 
two-week period in May 2011, that resulted in 442 unsafe buses 
or drivers being removed from the nation's highways. The strike 
force issued out-of-service citations to 127 drivers and 315 
vehicles during the unannounced inspections. In addition to the 
strike force inspections, the FMCSA and state safety 
investigators initiated 38 full safety compliance reviews on 
commercial passenger bus companies. According to the FMCSA, 
from 2005 to 2010, it doubled the number of unannounced bus 
safety inspections and comprehensive safety reviews of the 
estimated 4,000 over-the-road bus companies. Roadside safety 
inspections of motorcoaches jumped from 12,991 in 2005 to 
25,703 in 2010, while compliance reviews rose from 457 in 2005 
to 1,042 in 2010.
    Realizing that bus transportation is one of the safest 
modes of travel, the Committee discussed ideas that ensure 
Federal safety laws are effectively enforced, particularly to 
prevent continued operations by bad actors in the industry. In 
2009, more than 35,000 buses provided 723 million passenger 
trips and traveled more than 58 billion passenger miles. The 
hearing focused on ways to curb accidents related to driver 
fatigue and error, and focused on specific policy provisions 
for the Committee's consideration to make highways safer for 
the traveling public.
    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
is charged with improving safety on the national highway system 
by reducing the number of accidents and the consequences of 
those accidents that do occur. According to NHTSA's 2009 
Traffic Safety Facts FARS/GES Annual Report, 0.6 percent of all 
traffic crashes involved buses and these crashes resulted in 
less than 50 fatalities. Although the agency does not regulate 
the operation of motorcoaches, NHTSA is responsible for issuing 
and enforcing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which set 
performance criteria that every new motorcoach must meet. These 
standards include crash avoidance protection measures and 
occupant restraint systems. The witnesses discussed the 
effectiveness of these safety measures and whether or not the 
performance criteria for new motorcoach companies is stringent 
enough to prevent future bad actors from operating on the 
highways.

                              LEGISLATION

    Title: The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011
    Public Law Number: P.L. 112-5 (March 4, 2011)
    Bill Number: H.R. 662
    Summary: The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011 
(STEA) extends, through September 30, 2011, the authority for 
surface transportation programs originally authorized under the 
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity 
Act--a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) that otherwise would have 
expired on or ceased to apply after March 4, 2011.
    STEA also authorized funding for the Federal highway, 
transit, and highway safety programs for fiscal year 2011. 
Rather than authorizing additional funding for highway projects 
earmarked in SAFETEA-LU, STEA provides that funding to the 
States and allows them to fund projects that they choose. STEA 
authorizes the Federal Transit Administration to distribute 
funding provided for transit earmarks in SAFETEA-LU through a 
competitive process.
    STEA of 2011 also extends the authority to expend funds 
from the Highway Trust Fund and the Sport Fish Restoration and 
Boating Trust Fund to October 1, 2011.

               Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and 
                          Hazardous Materials 

    To date, the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and 
Hazardous Materials, chaired by Representative Bill Shuster, 
with Representative Corrine Brown serving as Ranking Member, 
held three hearings on issues related to rail and hazardous 
materials, and one roundtable discussion on pipeline safety 
issues. Additionally, the full Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee held two rail-related hearings and one 
roundtable discussion during this period. The Subcommittee 
heard from 52 witnesses, including the 12 witnesses from both 
full Committee hearings under its jurisdiction.

                                HEARINGS

    Title: Developing True High-Speed Rail in the Northeast 
Corridor: Stop Sitting on our Federal Assets: Grand Central 
Station, Northeast Balcony, New York, New York
    Date: January 27, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony regarding the potential and 
development of high-speed rail in the Northeast Corridor, 
highlighting the importance of economic development, 
opportunities and incentives for private sector investment, and 
the need for competition and public-private partnerships.
    Summary: The Committee heard testimony from the City of New 
York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Governor of Pennsylvania 
Ed Rendell, the regional transportation planning organization 
for the New York region, a national high-speed rail advocacy 
organization, an infrastructure investment company, and a 
representative of rail labor. Discussions centered on the need 
to develop improved and increased intercity passenger rail 
services in the Northeast Corridor (NEC), including real high-
speed rail, and why the NEC is the premiere corridor in the 
U.S. for development of high-speed rail.
    The NEC serves the most densely populated region in the 
United States, connecting the major cities of Washington, D.C., 
Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. As one of the most 
valuable transportation assets in the United States, providing 
the only continuous physical link, along with I-95, between the 
largest population centers, the NEC is mostly owned and 
controlled by Amtrak, the government-subsidized intercity 
passenger rail provider. Of the 437 total miles of the NEC, 
Amtrak owns and operates on 363 miles, with states controlling 
the remaining track. The Northeast region's population density, 
economic productivity, transit connectivity, and crippling 
congestion on the roads and in the air make the NEC the best 
opportunity for real high-speed rail in the U.S.
    However, despite recent capital improvement projects by 
Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the NEC 
still fails to meet international standards for high-speed 
rail, with the Acela (Amtrak's high-speed service) averaging 
only 83 miles per hour between Washington, D.C. and New York 
and 65 miles per hour from New York to Boston. Internationally, 
high-speed trains can average 150 miles per hour and many 
nations are upgrading their trains to reach top speeds of 220 
miles per hour.

    Title: Roundtable--Developing True High Speed Rail to the 
Northeast Corridor: Stop Sitting on Our Federal Assets
    Date: January 27, 2011
    Purpose: Continued the discussion on developing high-speed 
rail in the NEC, including a broad range of stakeholders, 
financial investors, and local government participants.
    Summary: Directly after the field hearing, Members of the 
Committee convened for a follow-up roundtable. The 12 
roundtable participants included representatives from Amtrak, 
the FRA, Northeastern State representatives, infrastructure 
investment companies, local planning organizations, national 
advocacy groups, rail labor, and an advocacy organization for 
Amtrak riders.

    Title: Sitting on our Assets: Rehabilitating and Improving 
our Nation's Rail Infrastructure
    Date: February 17, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the Railroad Rehabilitation 
& Improvement Financing (RRIF) program, highlighting its 
importance in helping railroads, States and other public 
authorities to finance the development of railroad 
infrastructure, which in turn creates new jobs and drives 
economic benefits.
    Summary: Testimony highlighted RRIF loan applicants' 
experiences with the RRIF program, and recommended ways to 
improve the DOT's management of the program. The Subcommittee 
heard testimony from the Deputy Secretary of DOT, short line 
and commuter railroad representatives, and two rail industry 
financial advisors. Discussions centered on how to make the 
RRIF program more effective and widely utilized, and to speed 
up the loan process at DOT.
    Railroad infrastructure is crucial to our nation's economic 
growth and international competitiveness. The RRIF program 
provides low-interest federal loans and loan guarantees to 
finance further development of railroad infrastructure. RRIF 
loans are available to railroads, rail freight shippers, state 
and local governments, and government-sponsored authorities, 
and are used to make critical infrastructure improvements, 
refinance debt, or develop new facilities. Despite these clear 
advantages of the RIFF loan program, loan evaluations are often 
a long process that impede infrastructure improvements to our 
nation's railways. The bureaucratic red tape coupled with the 
environmental protection issues, changes in scope, limited 
personnel on the part of short line railroads, and the 
intrinsic complexity of some proposals make the RIFF 
application process slow and burdensome. The Subcommittee 
proposed the feasibility of removing some of these impediments, 
particularly within the DOT, to make the RRIF loan program more 
effective and popular.
    On March 28, 2011, the Subcommittee held a bipartisan, 
staff-level workshop with staff from DOT, rail industry 
representatives, national advocacy organizations, and rail 
industry financial advisors to more fully discuss proposed 
changes and improvements to the RRIF program, for possible 
inclusion in the upcoming surface transportation 
reauthorization bill.

    Title: Roundtable--Pipeline Safety
    Date: March 7, 2011
    Purpose: Discussed pipeline safety issues with elected 
officials, Federal and State pipeline safety regulators, 
industry stakeholders, and safety advocates discussion in King 
of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in response to two pipeline incidents 
in Pennsylvania in early 2011 and to gather information as part 
of the Subcommittee's efforts to reauthorize the Federal 
pipeline safety programs which expired on September 30, 2010.
    Summary: Participating in the discussion were Members of 
the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, Alan Mayberry, 
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety for the DOT, 
Ed Pawlowski, Mayor of Allentown, PA, Craig White, CEO of 
Philadelphia Gas Works, John Walsh, CEO of UGI Utilities, Inc., 
Robert Powelson, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Utility 
Commission, Rick Kessler, Vice President of the Pipeline Safety 
Trust, and a representative of the Mayor of Philadelphia. 
Participants discussed the natural gas pipeline explosion that 
occurred in Philadelphia on January 18, 2011, and the natural 
gas pipeline explosion that occurred in Allentown on February 
9, 2011. Participants also discussed the division of 
responsibilities between Federal and State regulators and 
pipeline owners and operators. In addition, the participants 
discussed changes that should be made in Federal and State laws 
to improve pipeline safety.

    Title: Finding Ways to Encourage and Increase Private 
Sector Participation in Passenger Rail Service
    Date: March 11, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on intercity passenger rail in 
the U.S. and how to make it more effective and less expensive, 
specifically through private competition and to examine the FRA 
and Amtrak's implementation of the Passenger Rail Investment 
and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA).
    Summary: Witnesses suggested reforms to Federal intercity 
passenger rail programs for possible inclusion in the upcoming 
surface transportation reauthorization bill. The Subcommittee 
heard testimony from the Administrator of the FRA, a vice 
president of Amtrak, a State department of transportation, an 
expert in international models of competitive rail operations, 
a representative of independent rail operators, and the AFL-
CIO.
    Created in 1970 under the Rail Passenger Service Act, 
Amtrak has been the sole provider of regularly scheduled 
intercity passenger rail since 1981. Amtrak operates at a loss, 
averaging a per-ticket taxpayer subsidy of $54.48 per ticket. 
By comparison, commuter railroads are able to contract out 
service elements to private companies that specialize in 
providing those services. Amtrak competes with the private rail 
companies to provide commuter rail services. Currently, 11 of 
the 23 commuter rail systems in the U.S. are operated by 
private sector operators, eight are operated in-house by the 
local transit authority, and four are operated under contract 
by Amtrak.
    PRIIA, the most recent passenger rail authorization, allows 
for greater State control of intercity passenger rail 
initiatives and participation by private sector service 
providers. This same law also included provisions to improve 
Amtrak service, cost-effectiveness, and accountability. If 
implemented correctly, PRIIA would improve Amtrak's performance 
and service along with its bottom line.

    Title: Federal Regulatory Overreach in the Railroad 
Industry: Implementing the Rail Safety Improvement Act
    Date: March 17, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on implementation of the Rail 
Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), focusing on the FRA's 
rule implementing requirements for freight and passenger 
railroads to install positive train control systems by December 
31, 2015.
    Summary: The Subcommittee heard testimony from 
Representative Elton Gallegly (CA-24), the daughter of a victim 
of the 2008 Metrolink crash, the FRA Associate Administrator 
for Safety, one representative each from the Class I freight 
railroads, the shortline railroads, and commuter railroads, and 
a rail labor union representative. Discussions centered on the 
DOT's final rule implementing of positive train control mandate 
included in the Rail Safety Improvement Act, and on how that 
rule goes beyond Congressional intent and violates President 
Obama's Executive Order on January 2011, which directs that 
regulations shall be cost-effective and based on the best 
possible science, and shall not be overly burdensome on 
affected industries and the U.S. economy.
    The Rail Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) comprises Division A 
of the broad rail authorization bill signed in 2008. Division B 
is comprised of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement 
Act, or PRIIA, which was the topic of the March 11, 2011, 
oversight hearing. RSIA includes major provisions meant to 
improve safety of freight and passenger rail operations for the 
benefit of rail passengers, employees, and communities. The 
RSIA includes a mandate for the installation of positive train 
control (PTC) technology on freight main lines carrying toxic-
by-inhalation cargo and on all passenger rail lines. PTC 
technology is designed to automatically stop or slow a train 
before accidents caused by human error. The inclusion of the 
PTC mandate in RSIA was in part spurred by a major commuter 
rail accident in September 2008 in Chatsworth, California, in 
which 25 people were killed and 135 injured.
    In January 2010, FRA published its final rule to implement 
the PTC mandate, causing great concern in the rail industry 
that the FRA rule exceeded the scope of the agency's regulatory 
powers. The 20-year costs to Class I and commuter railroads of 
implementing PTC are estimated by FRA to be $13.21 billion, 
with a cost-to-benefit ratio of 22:1. Short line railroads 
would also be adversely affected although they are not 
explicitly required to install PTC. Instead, since they operate 
on tracks that would have been made PTC-compatible, short lines 
would also have to upgrade their own equipment.

    Title: Railroad and Hazardous Materials Transportation 
Programs: Reforms and Improvements to Reduce Regulatory Burdens
    Date: April 7, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from stakeholders in the rail 
and hazardous materials safety areas regarding legislative 
priorities for changes or reforms to current law authorizations 
and administrative regulatory policies at the FRA and the 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) 
and to focus on the areas of intercity passenger rail, high-
speed rail, rail safety, and rail financing along with 
hazardous materials transportation safety.
    Summary: The Subcommittee heard testimony from nineteen 
witnesses, including representatives from the National 
Transportation Safety Board, Amtrak, private rail providers, 
rail associations, manufacturing associations, and several 
unions. Because of the variety of stakeholders, there were a 
variety of messages heard by the Subcommittee regarding the 
impact of FRA and PHMSA programs and regulations on the 
stakeholders' businesses. The Subcommittee will analyze all 
testimony received in this hearing as they prepare a Rail Title 
and Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Title for the 
Surface Transportation reauthorization bill.

    Title: Reducing Regulatory Burdens and Ensuring Safe 
Transportation of Hazardous Materials
    Date: April 12, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the reauthorization of the 
hazardous materials safety programs of the PHMSA, which expired 
in 2008, focusing on how to reduce the regulatory burdens, and 
how to transport hazardous materials safely and efficiently.
    Summary: The invited witnesses included the Administrator 
of PHMSA, representatives of parties interested in 
transportation of hazardous materials, and the Teamsters Union. 
Discussions centered on hazardous materials regulations and 
their impact on a variety of hazardous materials manufacturers, 
offerors, and shippers, and the employees of these businesses.
    PHMSA promulgates and enforces hazardous materials 
regulations for all modes of transportation. There are 1.4 
million daily movements of hazardous materials. These materials 
are essential to the U.S. economy and the general public.
    The Subcommittee discussed streamlining the regulation 
process to prevent duplication, increase uniformity, and 
transparency. Background checks, equitable enforcement, 
international representation, state hazardous materials 
permits, cargo tank wetlines, special permits and approvals, 
package opening and inspection, and preemption issues were 
among the topics discussed.

    Title: Opening the Northeast Corridor to Private 
Competition for Development of High-Speed Rail
    Date: May 26, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony regarding the development of 
high-speed rail in the NEC through private competition using a 
public-private partnership.
    Summary: Witnesses at the hearing were U.S. Senator Frank 
R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), a representative from the Reason 
Foundation, an infrastructure investor, a national real estate 
development and investment representative, a national high-
speed rail advocacy organization, and two rail labor 
representatives. Discussions centered on how private sector 
rail infrastructure management and passenger rail operations 
expertise, as well as private sector financing, can be made 
part of the strategy to improve and expand passenger rail 
services, including real high-speed rail, on the NEC.
    Public-private partnerships share financing, management, 
and operational responsibilities for a project between public 
entities and private investors or partners. Private sector 
financing and participation would allow high-speed rail and 
other intercity passenger rail projects on the NEC to be 
developed and constructed quickly and more efficiently. Several 
international examples of successful and profitable rail 
development and operations through private sector partnering 
were discussed.
    An alternative strategy to Amtrak's expensive and slow 
proposal, a ``Vision for High-Speed Rail in the Northeast 
Corridor,'' was discussed at the hearing, and would allow 
Northeastern States to manage the Northeast Corridor 
infrastructure and operations under a public-private 
partnership model. This plan would use a request for proposals 
solicitation to attract competitive bids to finance, design, 
build, operate, and maintain high-speed and enhanced intercity 
passenger rail service on the NEC. Federal support for this 
project would still be needed, but competition will ensure that 
taxpayer dollars are used as efficiently as possible.

            Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

    To date, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
Environment, Chaired by Bob Gibbs of Ohio, with Timothy Bishop 
of New York serving as the ranking member, held two joint 
hearings and five Subcommittee hearings (with 22 witnesses and 
approximately 11.5 hours of testimony), covering the breadth of 
issues within the purview of the Subcommittee.

                                HEARINGS

    Title: Improving Oil Spill Prevention and Response, 
Restoring Jobs, and Ensuring our Energy Security: 
Recommendations from the National Commission on the BP 
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling
    Date: February 11, 2011
    Purpose: A joint hearing between the Subcommittees on Water 
Resources and Environment and Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation to hear testimony regarding the BP Deepwater 
Horizon oil spill and the status of offshore drilling 
operations and safety.
    Summary: In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 
the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 
and Offshore Drilling was created to find the root cause of the 
accident and provide recommendations on how to prevent such 
disasters and improve response in the future. The Commission 
issued their report on January 11, 2011, and it contained 14 
specific recommendations that fell under the jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
    The witnesses' testimonies elaborated on the 14 
recommendations made in the report, ranging from creating an 
independent agency within the Department of Interior to enforce 
regulations on offshore drilling, to raising the liability cap 
on oil production facilities, to increasing communication 
between Federal agencies and local governments during a Spill 
of National Significance. The Subcommittee will continue to 
provide oversight of waters, energy independence, and jobs.

    Title: To Consider Reducing the Regulatory Burden Posed by 
the Case of National Cotton Council v. EPA (6th Cir. 2009) and 
to Consider Related Draft Legislation
    Date: February 16, 2011
    Purpose: A joint hearing between the Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment and the Agriculture Committee's 
Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture. The purpose was 
twofold: to hear testimony regarding the 6th Circuit Court's 
ruling on the National Cotton Council v. EPA and to consider 
draft legislation that would address the judicial decision.
    Summary: Stakeholders from across the country and a 
representative of the EPA gave testimony that spoke to the 
burden that redundant regulation placed on their localities. 
The hearing resulted in the introduction of H.R. 872, the 
Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011, which was reported 
favorably by both the Transportation and Infrastructure and 
Agriculture Committees and was passed by the House.

    Title: Review of the FY 2012 Budget and Priorities of the 
Environmental Protection Agency: Impacts on Jobs, Liberty, and 
the Economy
    Date: March 2, 2011
    Purpose: Following the release of the President's budget 
request for FY 2012, the Subcommittee met to review the budget 
and priorities of the EPA. Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Water, EPA, and Mathy Sanislaus, 
Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency 
Response, were witnesses.
    Summary: Members questioned the EPA on agency 
``guidances,'' the use of numerical nutrient standards 
throughout the country, and other expansions of the EPA's 
regulations.

    Title: Review of the FY 2012 Budget and Priorities of the 
Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service: Finding Ways To Do More 
With Less
    Date: March 8, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from the Honorable Jo Ellen 
Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army--Civil Works, Lt. Gen. 
Robert Van Antwerp, Chief Engineer of the Army Corps, John 
Thomas, Chief Financial Officer of the Tennessee Valley 
Authority (TVA), and Thomas Christiansen, a regional 
conservationist with the Department of Agriculture's Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), regarding how the 
President's budget impacts their agencies.
    Summary: The Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) provides water 
resources development projects, usually through cost-sharing 
partnerships with nonfederal sponsors. Navigation, flood damage 
reduction, shoreline protection, hydropower, dam safety, water 
supply, recreation, environmental restoration and protection, 
are all activities in the Corps' Civil Mission. The FY 12 
budget reduces most major accounts that fund Corps projects and 
activities. TVA supplies power to nearly 8 million people over 
an 80,000 square mile service area. Their responsibilities 
include the multi-purpose management of land and water 
resources throughout the Tennessee Valley and fostering 
economic development. The NRCS facilitates Small Watershed 
Programs, Surveys and Planning, Flood Prevention Operations and 
Watershed Rehabilitation Programs.
    The hearing highlighted the role of the Corps and NRCS in 
the development of water infrastructure. Both entities face 
shrinking budgets but by no means diminished demands on water 
infrastructure. Questions from Members focused on the need for 
the Corps to maximize benefit to cost, streamline their 
processes, and work more closely with other agencies. The long 
term fiscal health of the TVA was also addressed.

    Title: EPA Mining Policies: Assault on Appalachian Jobs 
Parts I and II
    Dates: May 5, 2011 and May 11, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from State regulators, the 
mining industry, impacted organizations, economists, and Nancy 
Stoner, Assistant Administrator at the Office of Water, EPA, 
regarding the EPA's policies and actions toward Appalachian 
Mining. The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's 
plan for oversight of the Clean Water Act.
    Summary: Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA and States 
share in the protection of water quality. Congress gave EPA 
limited authority to promulgate water quality standards only 
when a State's proposed new or revised standard does not 
measure up to requirements set by the CWA and the State refuses 
to accept EPA proposed revisions.
    In 2007 the Corps issued a Sec. 404 permit in connection 
with the Arch Coal, Mingo Logan, Inc., Spruce No. 1 Surface 
Mine. Arch Coal conducted a 10-year environmental review prior 
to the issuance of the permit and the EPA agreed to all the 
terms and conditions included. In April 2010, EPA published a 
Proposed Determination to prohibit, restrict or deny the 
authorized discharges to certain of the waters associated with 
the project site, without alleging any violation of the permit. 
In September 2010, EPA withdrew the discharge authorization.
    Testimony and questions focused on the Spruce Mine permit 
revocation, the policy and procedure behind the action, its 
national impact on mining and the larger economy. H.R. 2018, 
the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011, was 
introduced as a result of this hearing.

    Title: Running Roughshod Over States and Stakeholders: 
EPA's Nutrients Policies
    Date: June 24, 2011
    Purpose: Will receive testimony from stakeholders including 
State administrators, water quality regulators, and a municipal 
wastewater reclamation official. The focus of the hearing was 
to provide oversight of the EPA's nutrients policies and quest 
for States to adopt numerical nutrient water quality standards 
under the Clean Water Act.
    Summary: Testimony will focus on the science and burden of 
the EPA nutrient policy. EPA is pressing States to adopt 
numerical standards based on historical ambient nutrient water 
quality data collected from other water bodies that may not 
have sufficiently comparable characteristic. Nutrients are 
essential for natural plant and animal growth. However, 
nutrients can adversely affect aquatic life or human health if 
present in excessive concentrations. Water quality standards 
define the goals for a water body by designating uses, setting 
criteria to protect those uses, and provisions to protect water 
quality. When a state adopts a new or revised water quality 
standard, the EPA must approve, disapprove, or conditionally 
approve the standard depending on requirements of the CWA. Each 
state has standards that prevent water from containing 
excessive nutrients. Setting numeric water quality standards 
presents unique challenges that are difficult to solve. Numeric 
standards are not universally appropriate for substances like 
nutrients that are both widely variable, naturally occurring, 
ubiquitous, and a natural and necessary component of healthy 
ecosystems.

                              LEGISLATION

    Title: Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011
    Bill Number: H.R. 872 (Passed the House on March 31, 2011)
    Summary: The Subcommittee considered legislation to amend 
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly referred to as 
the Clean Water Act) to clarify the Congressional intent 
regarding the regulation of pesticides in or near navigable 
waters and for other purposes. On March 2, 2011, Rep. Bob Gibbs 
introduced the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011, 
designated H.R. 872. The bill was narrowly crafted to eliminate 
the duplicative regulations over the lawful and proper 
application of pesticides. It was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment and to the Committee on Agriculture's 
Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture.
    The bill had 137 cosponsors and was ordered reported by the 
Full Committee on March 16, 2011, with a manager's amendment 
making technical corrections. On March 31, 2011, the House 
agreed to suspend the rules and pass the bill as amended by a 
vote of 292-130. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

    Title: Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
    Bill Number: H.R. 2018
    Summary: The Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 
amends the Clean Water Act to preserve the authority of each 
State to make determinations relating to the State's water 
quality standards, and to restrict EPA's ability to second-
guess or delay a State's permitting and water quality 
certification decisions under the Clean Water Act in several 
important respects including State water quality standards, 
dredge and fill permits, and requiring a deadline for Agency 
comment.
    The bill was introduced on May 26, 2011, receiving 
widespread and bipartisan support. After being referred to the 
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, the bill will 
be considered by the Full Committee on June 22, 2011.

                             OVERSIGHT PLAN

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved 
the oversight guiding document, the 112th Oversight Plan, in 
open session on January 26, 2011. In the report, the Committee 
determined it will focus its oversight responsibility on 
improving the overall performance and operation of the agencies 
and entities within the Committee's jurisdiction by eliminating 
fraud, wasteful spending, abuse and mismanagement where 
possible. Specifically, the Committee will focus its oversight 
authority on determining: (1) how the departments and agencies 
under its jurisdiction can spend fewer taxpayer dollars while 
continuing to carry out their statutory mandates; (2) how to 
decrease the size of departments and agencies that implement 
the Committee's authorized programs; and (3) how best to 
utilize government resources to create jobs and economic 
opportunities for all Americans.
    The Full Committee will focus on oversight of the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act and effectiveness of DOT 
discretionary grant programs. The Subcommittee on Aviation will 
focus on funding of the FAA, safety programs, security 
programs, NextGen, NTSB, and the financial condition of the 
airlines and passenger services. The Subcommittee on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation will focus on the Coast Guard 
acquisitions, mission balance, maritime domain awareness, oil 
spill prevention and response, short sea shipping, piracy, 
ballast water and incidental discharges, vessel capacity, and 
the budgets of the agencies within its jurisdiction. 
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and 
Emergency Management will focus on Federal courthouses, GSA 
broker contracts, real property management, FBF, leasing 
authorities, CILP, Federal Protective Service, DHS 
headquarters, and other issues within its jurisdiction. The 
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit will focus its oversight 
responsibility on streamling project delivery, program 
consolidation and elimination, redefining the Federal role in 
surface transportation, performance and accountability, 
innovative financing, transportation funding, transit 
oversight, and safety program accountability. The Subcommittee 
on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials will focus its 
oversight on the implementation of previous rail legislation, 
Amtrak, rail safety programs, pipeline safety, hazardous 
materials safety, and the Surface Transportation Board. 
Finally, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment 
will focus its oversight on the Clean Water Act and water 
infrastructure programs, the Army Corps of Engineer civil works 
program, the EPA and its program management of the Superfund 
and Brownfield program, and the TVA.
    The full Oversight Plan can be viewed On the Committee's 
website here: http://transportation.house.gov/Media/File/112th/
112th_Oversight_Plan.pdf 

 Summary of Actions Taken and Recommendations Made Regarding Oversight 
                                  Plan

                             Full Committee

    Title: Stimulus Status: Two Years and Counting
    Date: May 4, 2011
    Purpose: To continue oversight of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act, pursuant to Committee-approved Oversight 
Plan, by examining the audit work performed by the GAO, the DOT 
IG, and the EPA IG on implementation the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act. GAO and the two IGs performed extensive audit 
work on the implementation of funded programs from the DOT, 
including the FHWA, the FTA, the FAA, the FRA, and the EPA. The 
audits uncovered significant lapses in oversight by the 
implementing agencies, mismanagement of grants and funds, and 
lack of transparency.

                                Aviation

    The GAO has conducted a review of unauthorized 
international travel of children at the request of Chairman 
Petri. The GAO is expected to release the report by the end of 
June 2011.
    The DOT IG conducted a review of the new collective 
bargaining agreement (CBA) that the FAA entered into with the 
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The 
review was published on June 16, 2011, and addresses the impact 
the new CBA will have on the FAA and industry at the request of 
the Subcommittee.
    The DOT IG conducted an audit of Air Traffic Control (ATC) 
systems and networks located at two FAA facilities within the 
continental United States at the request of Chairman Mica. The 
report summarizes the results of our information technology 
vulnerability assessment of the FAA operational ATC systems, 
and was issued April 15, 2011.

                Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation

    Four of the five hearings held by the Subcommittee during 
the first six months of the 112th Congress were directly 
derived from sections of the approved Oversight Plan for the 
Subcommittee. Section one and section ten of the Subcommittee's 
Oversight Plan detailed the overseeing of the Coast Guard, 
Federal Maritime Commission, and Maritime Administration's 
budget. In March, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the 
Administration's budget requests for FY 2012 for the Coast 
Guard, Federal Maritime Commission, and Maritime Administration 
were examined and ways to implement cost savings at the Service 
by leveraging efficiencies and cutting waste, fraud and abuse 
were explored.
    Section two of the Oversight Plan detailed the 
Subcommittee's overseeing of the Coast Guard's acquisition 
program. The Subcommittee held a hearing in April regarding 
current status of the Coast Guard's acquisition programs, as 
well as a review of the policies and procedures the Service 
uses to determine mission needs requirements and the correct 
types and number of assets needed to meet those requirements.
    Section five of the Oversight Plan detailed the 
Subcommittee's overseeing of oil spill prevention and response, 
with specific attention being given towards the response to the 
Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the summer of 2010. The 
Subcommittee in conjunction with the Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment held a joint hearing in February 
regarding improvements that can be made to oil spill prevention 
and response plans and programs, while ensuring access to 
domestic energy resources and protecting vital energy sector 
jobs.
    Section seven of the Oversight Plan detailed the 
Subcommittee's overseeing of piracy and the United States' 
efforts to ensure the safety of Americans on the high seas. In 
March, the Subcommittee held a hearing regarding ways to 
improve the Federal Government's efforts to safeguard American 
lives and property on the high seas against acts of piracy. 
Specific attention was given to acts of piracy that occur off 
the Horn of Africa as per the Oversight Plan.

              Economic Development, Public Buildings and 
                         Emergency Management 

    The activities of the Subcommittee demonstrated its 
commitment to the Oversight Plan approved by the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure. In regards to the 
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee, the plan included a focus on 
implementing better management of federal real estate, 
streamlining emergency management programs, and supervising the 
construction and renovation of federal property under the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
    The Subcommittee is deeply invested in the oversight of 
federal real property. In fact, during the 111th Congress, the 
Republican staff released a report, ``Sitting on Our Assets: 
The Federal Government's Misuse of Taxpayer-Owned Assets,'' 
which detailed billions of dollars of wasteful spending on 
underutilized federal properties. The Subcommittee is committed 
to identifying these underutilized federal buildings and assets 
in order to shed waste and save taxpayer money. The 
Subcommittee has developed major pieces of legislation in 
support of this mission. H.R. 690, the Federal Trade Commission 
and National Gallery of Art Consolidation, Savings, and 
Efficiency Act, saves the taxpayers an estimated $300 million 
in avoided renovation and lease costs of the FTC and the NGA. 
The Subcommittee also marked up H.R. 1734, the Civilian 
Property Realignment Act, which was introduced by Chairman Jeff 
Denham. The legislation sets up a BRAC-like commission for the 
realignment of civilian federal property that has the potential 
to save taxpayers an estimated $15 billion.
    The Subcommittee has also held the following hearings to 
carry out the Committee-approved Oversight Plan:

    Title: Sitting on Our Assets: Cutting Spending and Private 
Redevelopment of Underperforming Buildings
    Date: February 10, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the costs to the taxpayer of 
underperforming or vacant assets, models for their 
redevelopment or reuse, and how spending can be reduced through 
private redevelopment of underperforming assets. The hearing 
was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for oversight of 
real property management and Clause 2(n) of House Rule XI on 
waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement of government programs.

    Title: Managing Costs and Mitigating Delays in the Building 
of Social Security's New National Computer Center
    Date: February 11, 2011
    Purpose: The Subcommittee held a joint oversight hearing 
with the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social 
Security to receive testimony on the site selection and 
construction of the SSA's new national computer processing and 
data storage facility to replace the NCC, currently located in 
Woodlawn, Maryland. The hearing was conducted pursuant to the 
Committee's plan of supervision for the construction and 
renovation of federal property under the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009.

    Title: Cutting Spending and Consolidating Federal Office 
Space: GSA's Capital Investment and Leasing Program
    Date: March 10, 2011
    Purpose: The Subcommittee held a hearing to receive 
testimony on GSA's Capital Investment and Leasing Program 
(CILP) including alteration, design, modernization, 
construction, leasing and building purchase activities. The 
hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for 
oversight of real property management and the Federal Buildings 
Fund (FBF).

    Title: Can a Civilian BRAC Commission Consolidate Federal 
Office Space and Save Taxpayers Billions?
    Date: April 6, 2011
    Purpose: The Subcommittee held a hearing to receive 
testimony on whether a civilian BRAC process can effectively 
consolidate federal office space, maximize value to the 
taxpayer, and save taxpayers billions. The hearing was 
conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for oversight of 
real property management and Clause 2(n) of House Rule XI on 
waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement of government programs.

    Title: Richard H. Poff Federal Building Renovation: Is it 
Costing the Taxpayer Too Much?
    Date: April 14, 2011
    Purpose: The Subcommittee held a hearing to receive 
testimony on the renovation and modernization of the Richard H. 
Poff Federal Building, located in Roanoke, Virginia. The 
hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan of 
supervision for the construction and renovation of federal 
property under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
2009.

    Title: How to Stop Sitting on Our Assets: A Review of the 
Civilian Property Realignment Act
    Date: May 12, 2011
    Purpose: The Subcommittee held a hearing to receive 
testimony on specific legislative proposals to employ a BRAC-
like process to civilian properties to produce significant 
savings to the taxpayer. The hearing was conducted pursuant to 
the Committee's plan for oversight of real property management 
and Clause 2(n) of House Rule XI on waste, fraud, abuse or 
mismanagement of government programs.
    Summary: Chairman Denham introduced H.R. 1734, the Civilian 
Property Realignment Act, on May 4, 2011, as a result of the 
Subcommittee's oversight activities.

                         Highways and Transit 

    As the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held hearings 
to help craft important transportation authorization 
legislation, the hearings served a dual purpose of providing 
oversight opportunities, according to the Committee's Oversight 
Plan, including oversight on streamlining project delivery, 
program consolidation and elimination, redefining the Federal 
role in surface transportation, performance and accountability, 
innovative financing, and highway safety.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Beckley, West Virginia Field Hearing
    Date: February 14, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of West Virginia, and the local 
area surrounding Beckley. The hearing was conducted pursuant to 
the Committee's plan for oversight of surface transportation 
program management and Clause 2(d)(1) of House Rule X on 
elimination of duplicative programs.

    Title: Accelerating the Project Delivery Process: 
Eliminating Bureaucratic Red Tape and Making Every Dollar 
Count.
    Date: February 15, 2011.
    Purpose: Received testimony related to improving the 
existing laws and regulations governing project delivery in 
order to accelerate the delivery process for surface 
transportation projects. The hearing was conducted pursuant to 
the Subcommittee's plan for oversight of surface transportation 
program management and Clause 2(d)(1) of House Rule X on 
elimination of duplicative programs.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Columbus, Ohio Field Hearing.
    Date: February 19, 2011.
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing Ohio, and the local area surrounding 
Columbus. The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's 
plan for oversight of surface transportation program management 
and Clause 2(d)(1) of House Rule X on elimination of 
duplicative programs.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs to Support Job Creation and the Economy
    Date: February 23, 2011
    Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure; Joint Hearing 
with the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
    Purpose: Received testimony in a joint hearing in Los 
Angeles, California, with the U.S. Senate on the local 
transportation challenges facing Southern California. The 
hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for 
oversight of surface transportation program management and 
Clause 2(d)(1) of House Rule X on elimination of duplicative 
programs.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Field Hearing
    Date: February 24, 2011
    Purpose: Receive testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing Oklahoma, and the local area surrounding 
Oklahoma City. The hearing was conducted pursuant to the 
Committee's plan for oversight of surface transportation 
program management and Clause 2(d)(1) of House Rule X on 
elimination of duplicative programs.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Maitland, Florida Field Hearing
    Date: March 14, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing Florida, and the greater Orlando area. The 
hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for 
oversight of surface transportation program management and 
Clause 2(d)(1) of House Rule X on elimination of duplicative 
programs.

    Title: Improving and Reforming the Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs.
    Date: March 29, 2011 and March 30, 2011
    Purpose: Received stakeholder testimony related to the 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs. 
The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Subcommittee's plan 
for oversight of surface transportation program management and 
Clause 2(d)(1) of House Rule X on elimination of duplicative 
programs.

    Title: Policy Proposals from Members of Congress to Reform 
the Nation's Surface transportation Programs.
    Date: April 5, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from Members of Congress on 
their policy proposals for the reauthorization of the Federal 
surface transportation programs. The hearing was conducted 
pursuant to the Subcommittee's plan for oversight of surface 
transportation program management and Clause 2(d)(1) of House 
Rule X on elimination of duplicative programs.

              Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials

    Pursuant to the Committee-approved Oversight Plan for the 
112th Congress, the Subcommittee held hearings addressing 
important issues such as railroad infrastructure, Amtrak, and 
rail and hazardous materials safety. With respect to railroad 
infrastructure, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on 
improving the RRIF direct and guaranteed loan program and an 
oversight hearing on passenger rail capital programs authorized 
under the PRIIA. The Subcommittee also held or had jurisdiction 
over three hearings on Amtrak, specifically on improving 
passenger rail service on the NEC and authorizing it for 
private competition, and on improving intercity passenger rail 
throughout the country by fully implementing PRIIA requirements 
and allowing private competition for passenger rail service. 
There was also one hearing on railroad safety, providing 
oversight on the implementation of the Rail Safety Improvement 
Act of 2008. Lastly, the Subcommittee held two hearings 
discussing the safe transportation of hazardous materials and 
possible ways to reduce regulatory burdens on the hazardous 
materials and railroad transportation industries.

                    Water Resources and Environment

    The activities of the Subcommittee demonstrated its 
commitment to the Oversight Plan approved by the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure. In regards to the 
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee, the plan included a focus on 
implementing better oversight of the EPA funding issues, 
including levels and sources of funding and management of grant 
and loan programs; issues involving the development and 
implementation of total maximum daily loads, water quality 
standards, effluent limitations, and permitting; data quality 
issues; and continued efforts to improve the management of and 
nonpoint source pollution. The Subcommittee may review the 
implications of addressing certain pollutant discharges, 
including discharges of pesticides, through traditional Clean 
Water Act permitting requirements. Pursuant to the Oversight 
Plan, the Subcommittee considered ways of streamlining the 
civil works activities of the Corps, specifically the 
permitting, scheduling, and allocation of projects, as well as 
financing. Additionally, the Subcommittee reviewed TVA 
programs, including its energy program and operations in the 
current marketplace, and the impact of TVA debt on its long-
term goals.
    The Subcommittee has also held the following hearings to 
carry out the Committee-approved Oversight Plan:

    Title: Review of the FY 2012 Budget and Priorities of the 
Environmental Protection Agency: Impacts on Jobs, Liberty, and 
the Economy
    Date: March 2, 2011
    Purpose: To hear justification of the Agency's proposed FY 
12 budget, including extra-regulatory activities such as the 
promulgation of guidance, the use of numerical nutrient 
standards throughout the country and other expansions of the 
Agency's regulations.

    Title: Review of the FY 12 Budget and Priorities of the 
Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service: Finding Ways To Do More 
With Less
    Date: March 8, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from respective agencies 
regarding their proposed budget to the Subcommittee.

    Title: EPA Mining Policies: Assault on Appalachian Jobs 
Parts I and II
    Dates: May 5, 2011 and May 11, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from State regulators, the 
mining industry, impacted organizations, economists, and Nancy 
Stoner, Assistant Administrator at the Office of Water at the 
EPA regarding the EPA's policies and actions toward Appalachian 
Mining. The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's 
plan for oversight of Clean Water Act, specifically the 
permitting process and water quality standards. HR 2018, the 
Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011, was introduced 
as a result of this hearing.

    Title: Running Roughshod Over States and Stakeholders: 
EPA's Nutrients Policies
    Date: June 24, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony pursuant to the Committee-
approved Oversight Plan to provide oversight of the EPA's 
nutrients policies and quest for States to adopt numerical 
nutrient water quality standards under the Clean Water Act.

Summary of any Additional Oversight Activities Undertaken by Committee 
                     or Recommendations or Actions


                                HEARINGS

    Title: Biometric IDs for Pilots and Transportation Workers: 
Diary of Failures.
    Date: April 14, 2011.
    Summary: See summary section above

    Title: How to Best Improve Bus Safety on Our Nation's 
Highways
    Date: June 13, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

                  INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

    Title: TSA Ignores More Cost-Effective Screening Model.
    Date: June 3, 2011.
    Summary: See summary section and attached report above

Summary of Oversight Hearings Pursuant to Clauses 2(n), (o), and (p) of 
          Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives

    In the 112th Congress, Rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires each standing committee, or a 
Subcommittee thereof, to hold at least one hearing during each 
120-day period following the establishment of the committee on 
the topic of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in 
government programs as documented by any report from an 
Inspector General or the Comptroller General. Further, the 
Committee shall hold at least one hearing on disclaimers of 
agency financial statements from auditors and one hearing on 
issues raised by reports issued by the Comptroller General 
indicating that Federal programs under the committee's 
jurisdiction are at high risk for waste, fraud, and 
mismanagement, known as the ``high-risk list.'' The Committee 
complied with the requirements of Rule XI by conducting the 
following hearings:

                            Full Committee 

    Title: Stimulus Status: Two Years and Counting
    Date: May 4, 2011
    Purpose: The Full Committee met on May 4, 2011, pursuant to 
House Rule XI, clause 2(n), to examine the audit work performed 
by the General Accountability Office (GAO), DOT IG, and the 
Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General (EPA IG) on 
implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 
GAO and the two IGs performed extensive audit work on the 
implementation of funded programs from the DOT, including the 
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA), the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The audits uncovered 
significant lapses in oversight by the implementing agencies, 
mismanagement of grants and funds, and lack of transparency. 
See full summary in summary section above.

                Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 

    Title: Improving and Streamlining the Coast Guard's 
Acquisition Program
    Date: April 13, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony, pursuant to House Rule XI, 
clause 2(n), as a result of a report issued by the GAO on the 
Coast Guard's acquisition process. In the report, the GAO made 
several recommendations to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies 
within the Coast Guard's acquisition directorate to reduce cost 
overruns and delays. See full summary in summary section above.

              Economic Development, Public Buildings and 
                         Emergency Management 

    Title: Sitting on Our Assets: Cutting Spending and Private 
Redevelopment of Underperforming Buildings
    Date: February 10, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the costs to the taxpayer of 
underperforming or vacant assets, models for their 
redevelopment or reuse, and how spending can be reduced through 
private redevelopment of underperforming assets. The hearing 
was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for oversight of 
real property management and Clause 2(n) of House Rule XI on 
waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement of government programs and 
Clause 2(p) on a management area designated by the GAO as a 
high-risk management issue. See full summary in summary section 
above.

    Title: Can a Civilian BRAC Commission Consolidate Federal 
Office Space and Save Taxpayers Billions?
    Date: April 6, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on whether a civilian BRAC 
process can effectively consolidate federal office space, 
maximize value to the taxpayer, and save taxpayers billions. 
The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for 
oversight of real property management and Clause 2(n) of House 
Rule XI and Clause 2(p) on a management area designated by the 
GAO as a high-risk management issue. See full summary in 
summary section above

    Title: The Securities and Exchange Commission's $500 
Million Fleecing of America
    Date: June 16, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the SEC's management of its 
independent authority to lease space and the May 16, 2011 SEC 
IG report related to SEC's lease procurement of 900,000 square 
feet of space under a 10-year lease worth over $500 million. 
The hearing was conducted pursuant to the Committee's plan for 
oversight of agencies with independent leasing authority and 
Clause 2(n) of House Rule XI on waste, fraud, abuse or 
mismanagement of government programs and Clause 2(p) on a 
management area designated by the GAO as a high-risk management 
issue. See full summary in summary section above.

                         Highways and Transit 

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Beckley, West Virginia Field Hearing
    Date: February 14, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of West Virginia, and the local 
area surrounding Beckley. This hearing addressed issues related 
to ``Funding the Nation's Surface Transportation System,'' a 
topic contained on GAO's 2011 High Risk Series. See full 
summary in summary section above.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Columbus, Ohio Field Hearing.
    Date: February 19, 2011.
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of Ohio, and the local area 
surrounding Columbus. This hearing addressed issues related to 
``Funding the Nation's Surface Transportation System,'' a topic 
contained on GAO's 2011 High Risk Series. See full summary in 
summary section above.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs to Support Job Creation and the Economy
    Date: February 23, 2011
    Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure; Joint Hearing 
with the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
    Purpose: Receive testimony in a joint hearing in Los 
Angeles, California with the U.S. Senate on the local 
transportation challenges facing Southern California and the 
State of California. This bi-cameral field hearing was part of 
the Committee's effort to gather ideas and policy proposals to 
prepare for the reauthorization of the Federal surface 
transportation programs under SAFETEA-LU, which expired on 
September 30, 2009, but was extended through September 30, 
2011. This hearing addressed issues related to ``Funding the 
Nation's Surface Transportation System,'' a topic contained on 
GAO's 2011 High Risk Series. See full summary in summary 
section above.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Field Hearing
    Date: February 24, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of Oklahoma, and the local area 
surrounding Oklahoma City. This hearing addressed issues 
related to ``Funding the Nation's Surface Transportation 
System,'' a topic contained on GAO's 2011 High Risk Series. See 
full summary in summary section above.

    Title: Improving and Reforming Our Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs: Maitland, Florida Field Hearing
    Date: March 14, 2011
    Purpose: Receive testimony on the local transportation 
challenges facing the State of Florida, and the greater Orlando 
area. This hearing addressed issues related to ``Funding the 
Nation's Surface Transportation System,'' a topic contained on 
GAO's 2011 High Risk Series. See full summary in summary 
section above.

    Title: Improving and Reforming the Nation's Surface 
Transportation Programs.
    Date: March 29, 2011 and March 30, 2011
    Purpose: Received stakeholder testimony related to the 
reauthorization of the Federal surface transportation programs. 
This hearing addressed issues related to ``Funding the Nation's 
Surface Transportation System,'' a topic contained on GAO's 
2011 High Risk Series. See full summary in summary section 
above.

    Title: Policy Proposals from Members of Congress to Reform 
the Nation's Surface transportation Programs.
    Date: April 5, 2011
    Purpose: Received testimony from Members of Congress on 
their policy proposals for the reauthorization of the Federal 
surface transportation programs. This hearing addressed issues 
related to ``Funding the Nation's Surface Transportation 
System,'' a topic contained on GAO's 2011 High Risk Series. See 
full summary in summary section above.

 Oversight or Legislative Activity Conducted as Part of or as a Result 
    of the Inventory and Review of Existing, Pending, and Proposed 
                         Regulations and Orders


                               Aviation 

    Title: GPS Reliability: A Review of Aviation Industry 
Performance, Safety Issues, and Avoiding Potential New and 
Costly Government Burdens
    Date: June 23, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

    Title:  FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011
    Bill Number: H.R. 658
    Date: April 1, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

              Economic Development, Public Buildings and 
                         Emergency Management 

    Title: Improving the Nation's Response to Catastrophic 
Disasters: How to Minimize Costs and Streamline our Emergency 
Management Programs
    Date: March 30, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

                              Coast Guard 

    Title: Creating U.S. Maritime Industry Jobs by Reducing 
Regulatory Burdens
    Date: May 24, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

    Title: Creating Jobs and Increasing U.S. Exports by 
Enhancing the Marine Transportation System
    Date: June 14, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

             Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials 

    Title: Federal Regulatory Overreach in the Railroad 
Industry: Implementing the Rail Safety Improvement Act
    Date: March 17, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

    Title: Reducing Regulatory Burdens and Ensuring Safe 
Transportation of Hazardous Materials
    Date: April 12, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

                  Water Resources and the Environment 

    Title: EPA Mining Policies: Assault on Appalachian Jobs 
Parts I and II
    Dates: May 5, 2011 and May 11, 2011
    Summary: See summary section above

    Title: Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
    Bill Number: H.R. 2018
    Summary: See summary section above
    


    

                             MINORITY VIEWS

    We agree with our Republican colleagues on the importance 
of the legislative and oversight activities of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the critical role that 
this Committee can play in creating jobs, restoring the 
Nation's economy, and ensuring that the taxpayers' money is 
well spent.
    In the wake of the worst recession since the Great 
Depression and with almost two million construction workers out 
of work, we had hoped to work closely with our Republican 
colleagues at the outset of this Congress on a bipartisan 
agenda of increasing infrastructure investment to create 
family-wage construction jobs and lay the foundation for future 
economic growth. Regrettably, in the first six months of the 
112th Congress, the House of Representatives has slashed 
infrastructure investment at every turn, jeopardizing the 
Nation's economic recovery. We urge our Republican colleagues 
to refocus on efforts to develop a bipartisan agenda with one 
overriding goal: putting Americans back to work.
    The Committee's consideration of H.R. 658, the ``FAA 
Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011'', and H.R. 690, the 
``Federal Trade Commission and National Gallery of Art Facility 
Consolidation, Savings, and Efficiency Act of 2011'', 
illustrate these misplaced priorities.

      I. H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011

    Over several decades, successive Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) reauthorization acts have increased 
funding for FAA programs because investing in aviation 
infrastructure strengthens the economy, creates jobs, and 
provides for the safe and efficient flow of commerce. Every $1 
billion of Federal investment in infrastructure creates or 
sustains approximately 35,000 jobs.
    In the 110th and 111th Congresses, the House, under 
Democratic leadership, passed FAA reauthorization bills that 
would have created jobs, improved aviation safety, and provided 
the FAA with the tools necessary to modernize airport and air 
traffic control infrastructure.
    Conversely, in the 112th Congress, the House, under 
Republican leadership, passed an FAA reauthorization bill that 
includes funding cuts that will devastate the FAA's Next 
Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) air traffic 
control modernization effort and will harm safety-sensitive 
programs, while ignoring the Nation's growing airport 
construction needs. These proposed funding cuts have serious 
consequences for our Nation's infrastructure, jobs, and 
economy.
    At the Subcommittee on Aviation's February 9, 2011 hearing, 
entitled ``Federal Aviation Reauthorization: Stakeholders'', 
witnesses representing the aerospace industry, general aviation 
manufacturers, general aviation pilots, airports, air traffic 
controllers, and FAA officials all testified that Congress 
could not roll back FAA funding to FY 2008 levels without 
harming safety-sensitive programs or hampering the industry. At 
that same hearing, Ms. Marion Blakey, former FAA Administrator 
under President George W. Bush and current President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the Aerospace Industries Association, 
stated that ``the prospect is really devastating to jobs and to 
our future, if we really have to roll back [to 2008 levels] and 
stop NextGen in its tracks.'' Similarly, H.R. 658 cut airport 
construction investment by almost $2 billion over four years, 
destroying 70,000 family-wage jobs.
    Time and again, our Republican colleagues claimed that 
Congress must impose these cuts in the name of budget 
austerity.

II. H.R. 690, the Federal Trade Commission and National Gallery of Art 
      Facility Consolidation, Savings, and Efficiency Act of 2011

    However, when the Committee considers almost doubling the 
size of a Federal art gallery, budget austerity is nowhere to 
be found.
    On February 16, 2011, the Committee considered H.R. 690, 
the ``Federal Trade Commission and National Gallery of Art 
Facility Consolidation, Savings, and Efficiency Act of 2011'', 
and ordered the bill reported favorably to the House on a roll 
call vote. During the markup, our Republican colleagues claimed 
that the bill would save taxpayer funds. Similar claims are 
made in this Legislative and Oversight Activities report. For 
instance, on multiple occasions, the report states ``H.R. 690 
saves the taxpayers an estimated $300 million in avoided 
renovation and lease costs of the FTC [Federal Trade 
Commission] and NGA [National Gallery of Art].''
    During the Committee's consideration of the bill, we 
disagreed with these estimates and requested a hearing on the 
bill. Our request for a public hearing was denied. However, our 
concerns about the costs of the legislation were confirmed by 
the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). CBO found 
that the bill would not save money. In fact, according to CBO, 
the bill would cost $270 million over the next five years 
because the General Services Administration (GSA) would need to 
construct a new building to accommodate employees of the FTC in 
a consolidated facility. Furthermore, GSA estimates that it 
would cost $609 million over 30 years to consolidate the FTC in 
one Federally-owned facility, and even more if the FTC 
employees were housed in leased space.
    In addition to expanding a Federal art gallery, the 
Committee has also focused on overseeing presidential libraries 
and constructing statues.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\See the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform February 28, 2001 joint 
hearing on ``American Presidential Libraries: Their Mission and Their 
Future''; and H.R. 1264, as ordered reported by the Committee on June 
22, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               Conclusion

    Although we are not opposed to art galleries, presidential 
libraries, and statues, we urge our Republican colleagues to 
refocus on efforts to develop an agenda centered on increasing 
infrastructure investment to create jobs and establish the 
building blocks of economic growth. We want to work on a 
bipartisan agenda that has one overriding goal: putting 
Americans back to work.

                                   Nick J. Rahall II, Ranking Member.
                                   Peter A. DeFazio.
                                   Jerry F. Costello.
                                   Eleanor Holmes Norton.
                                   Jerrold Nadler.
                                   Corrine Brown.
                                   Bob Filner.
                                   Eddie Bernice Johnson.
                                   Elijah E. Cummings.
                                   Leonard L. Boswell.
                                   Tim Holden.
                                   Rick Larsen.
                                   Michael E. Capuano.
                                   Timothy H. Bishop.
                                   Michael H. Michaud.
                                   Russ Carnahan.
                                   Grace F. Napolitano.
                                   Daniel Lipinski.
                                   Mazie K. Hirono.
                                   Jason Altmire.
                                   Timothy J. Walz.
                                   Heath Shuler.
                                   Steve Cohen.
                                   Laura Richardson.
                                   Albio Sires.
                                   Donna F. Edwards.

                                  
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