Issue Position: Transportation - Transportation Reauthorization

Issue Position

Every five years, Congress reviews and reauthorizes transportation programs throughout the nation. The current transportation law (SAFTEA-LU) expires in 2009 and will be replaced by a new authorization. Congress is now considering legislation that would either reauthorize these programs or extend the existing program into at least part of the next fiscal year.

Our nation's transportation system faces urgent challenges that must be addressed. Our roads and highways are in severe disrepair, and congestion problems are prevalent throughout our country. These problems have caused American businesses to lose productivity due to trucks needing repairs more often and time lost sitting in congestion. The transportation bill, when enacted, will provide much needed jobs to thousands of Americans as they rebuild our nation's transportation infrastructure.

Numerous controversial issues will be addressed in the upcoming reauthorization. Among them are addressing funding and increasing truck weights. With regard to funding, since the early 1980s, the debate leading to reauthorization has focused on finding money to pay for essential transportation programs. In each of the five reauthorizations that took place since this time, the fuel taxes and other sources of revenue dedicated to the highway trust fund were reliably providing the various transportation programs with enough money to spend on an annual basis. However, this will not be the case in 2009 and additional options will likely be considered.

Federal restrictions on the size and weight of trucks also are likely to be some of the more controversial issues debated in the transportation reauthorization bill. Current federal truck weight regulations restrict the maximum gross vehicle weight to 80,000 pounds. An empty "18-wheeler" (tractor and trailer) typically weighs about 35,000 pounds, limiting the maximum cargo load to about 45,000 pounds. Federal truck weight regulations apply only to the Interstate Highway System and to the roads that provide reasonable access to and from the Interstate System. Truck weight limits on all other highways and roads are regulated by the states.

Opponents of bigger trucks on the roads argue that increasing truck sizes and weights is both dangerous and damaging to motorists and our infrastructure. They claim that bigger trucks take longer to stop and are less safe. Further, bigger trucks inflict more damage to roads and bridges; and they may actually consume more fuel and produce higher greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, many industries contend that increasing truck weights provides them with a potential means of increasing truck productivity and fuel efficiency--on a per unit of cargo basis. They too cite reductions in congestion, pavement wear; and accident costs resulting from fewer trucks on the road. I will be following these issues as the reauthorization bill is considered.

Lastly, I believe that as we work to reauthorize our nation's transportation policies, we also must take this opportunity to ensure that the bill gives the Department of Transportation the tools that it needs to decrease our nation's greenhouse gas emissions by reducing congestion and providing better access to alternative transportation. Transportation sources account for approximately one-third of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Further, transportation is the fastest-growing source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This bill presents us with an opportunity to move our nation's transportation policy into the 21st century.

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