[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 40 (Monday, October 7, 1996)]
[Page 1933]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Department of Transportation and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997

September 30, 1996

    Today I have signed into law H.R. 3675, the ``Department of 
Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997.''
    The Act provides $35.5 billion in funding for the Department of 
Transportation and several smaller agencies, including the National 
Transportation Safety Board. The bill is consistent with my request in 
most key areas.
    I am pleased that the Congress fully funded my request for the 
Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) safety programs. This bill, 
together with the FY 1997 omnibus appropriations bill that I have also 
signed, provides an increase of $286 million over fiscal 1996 for FAA 
operations. The FAA manages the world's largest and safest aviation 
system.
    To address the recent tragic aviation incidents, I asked Vice 
President Gore to chair a Commission on Aviation Security and report 
back with recommendations for improving aviation security. I am pleased 
that in the omnibus appropriations bill, the Congress fully funds my 
request of $201 million for the Department of Transportation to 
implement the Vice President's September 9 recommendations.
    The Act includes $150 million to capitalize my proposed new State 
Infrastructure Banks (SIBs). It also lifts the limit on the number of 
banks, allowing all States to apply. SIBs are an innovative use of 
private sector financing ideas that will permit States to leverage 
infrastructure investment.
    I am particularly pleased that the Congress, in the omnibus 
appropriations bill, fully funded my request for the Alameda Corridor 
project, which connects the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, 
California. This intermodal project will speed the transportation of 
goods from these ports throughout the country and will also help sustain 
our Nation's competitive edge in Pacific Rim trade.
    The Act provides funding for most of the Department's high-priority 
programs. I commend the Congress for not including any new earmarked 
highway projects. States can better determine how to use these funds to 
meet their transportation infrastructure priorities.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
September 30, 1996.

Note: H.R. 3675, approved September 30, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
205. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
October 1.