[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[October 23, 2000]
[Pages 2281-2283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Statement on Signing the Department of Transportation and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001
October 23, 2000
I am pleased to sign into law today H.R. 4475, the ``Department of
Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001.'' The Act
provides over $58 billion in funding for the Nation's vital
transportation safety and infrastructure investment needs. The
transportation safety improvements contained in this legislation will
save lives on our highways and other transportation systems, and the
record level of infrastructure investment will help improve the
conditions and performance of the Nation's transportation system in
support of a strong economy.
The legislation provides critical transportation safety funding and
also contains related legislative provisions. Of particular importance
is a provision that will help set a national impaired driving standard
at 0.08 Blood Alcohol Content and thus reduce drunk driving on our
Nation's roads. As I have previously said, this is a reasonable,
commonsense standard that could save 500 lives a year, while still
permitting adults to drink responsibly and moderately. I wish to commend
Senators Lautenberg and Shelby, Congressman Wolf, and
Congresswoman Lowey for their bipartisan
efforts in seeking inclusion of this provision. The legislation also
includes a compromise measure that will enable the Department of
Transportation to proceed with all stages of rulemaking, short of a
final rule, on ``hours of service'' concerning the amount of time
drivers of large interstate trucks and buses can spend behind the wheel.
It also permits the Department to move forward with its proposal for
rollover ratings on cars and light trucks while the National Academy of
Sciences studies this issue. In addition, the legislation contains
funding increases requested by my Administration for
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motor carrier safety, pipeline safety, and the automotive defect
investigation program.
I am pleased that H.R. 4475 provides the funding levels required by
the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard. I am
particularly pleased with increased funding for modernization of our
aviation system envisioned in the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment
and Reform Act for the 21st Century.
I am disturbed by the provision of H.R. 4475 that blocks the
Department of Transportation from evaluating the Corporate Average Fuel
Economy (CAFE) standards. Recent data indicate that motor vehicle fuel
economy efficiency has declined. I believe that the Department should be
allowed to analyze this issue, and I expect the Department to work with
the National Academy of Sciences to carry out the CAFE study authorized
by the bill to develop workable approaches to energy conservation. The
Act provides important funding for Job Access grants that will help
hard-pressed working families, including former welfare recipients, get
to work. I am disappointed, however, that the bill provides $50 million
less than our request for these grants, earmarks 75 percent of the
program, and does not include my Administration's proposal to allow
Native American tribes to apply directly for this funding.
I am pleased that H.R. 4475 contains $600 million for the Woodrow
Wilson Bridge. When added to the $900 million already appropriated, this
will complete the Federal Government's contribution to this bridge.
Likewise, I am pleased that the bill includes an additional $25 million
for Indian Reservation Roads.
Our transportation investment must continue to be intermodal and
applied to critical needs. Excessive earmarking can undermine this goal,
which is why I am disappointed with the widespread earmarking of vital
highway, airport, and transit construction and research programs
contained in the Act. This earmarking is without regard to criteria
established to ensure that these are sound investments. Many earmarks
are aimed at projects that have not advanced in the local planning
process, and the funding will often lie unused for a long period of
time. This deprives ready-to-go projects of needed Federal assistance. I
ask the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to work with the
Department of Transportation to see that essential projects that can
quickly utilize Federal funding are able to move forward.
I am pleased that H.R. 4475 includes additional requested resources
for the Internal Revenue Service to implement the bipartisan IRS reform
legislation enacted in 1998. The Act also responds to my request for
additional resources for counterterrorism programs in the Department of
the Treasury, thereby enhancing the Federal Government's efforts to
deter and detect terrorist activity and to continue the high level of
effort undertaken during Millennium celebration events.
I am pleased that H.R. 4475 includes funding the Unanticipated Needs
account, which can be used by the President to meet needs in furtherance
of the national interest, security, or defense. I am especially pleased
this account includes the funding I sought to assist the people of
Puerto Rico in deciding their islands' future status, an issue that the
Puerto Ricans have long asked us to clarify. Other Presidents and I have
sought legislative action, and there has been some, but this is the
first piece of legislation passed by both Houses of Congress that
supports Puerto Rico choosing its future status. The account also
provides funds to educate Puerto Ricans on the available options,
relying on the Office of the President to ensure the options presented
to the voters are realistic in light of the Constitution and the basic
laws and policies of the United States. Once the options have been
presented, the account also funds a vote by the Puerto Rican people to
choose what their status should be. I am already working to clarify the
options, and I am also working to ensure that the next President will
continue the effort to resolve this issue.
I also note that language purporting to require congressional
committee approval for a plan to spend certain funds is unconstitutional
under the Supreme Court's holding in INS v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919 (1983).
In addition, section 347 purports to restrict the contents and form of
the President's budgetary proposal. This provision would interfere with
the President's constitutional power to recommend legislation and will
accordingly be construed as advisory.
Overall, H.R. 4475 makes a positive contribution to meeting the
transportation and other
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needs of this country. I am pleased to sign it into law.
William J. Clinton
The White House,
October 23, 2000.
Note: H.R. 4475, approved October 23, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
346.