Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011

Floor Speech

Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the legislation before us, which will extend funding for our federal transportation programs through the end of this fiscal year in September.

This will be the seventh short-term extension we have passed--hopefully this will be the last. I commend Chairmen Mica and Duncan, and Ranking Members Rahall and DeFazio, for their work on crafting this measure, and look forward to working with each of them as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee continues its work on a long-term surface transportation bill.

Madam Speaker, this so-called ``clean extension'' of our nation's transportation programs is vitally important for the travelling public. Not only does it continue federal construction projects that we know create jobs--it also extends programs that keep our families safe on the road.

This extension gives our states and communities certainty, at least until the end of this fiscal year, with regard to critical infrastructure projects. It will also provide a level of stability for those working to improve our roads and bridges and build new transit and commercial systems--and the families that are dependent on their income.

While members of both sides of the aisle have spoken of the importance of infrastructure, to date, we have not been able to come up with a forward-looking transportation bill. We all should share a sense of urgency about getting this done. Meanwhile, without continuing the authority for the programs under this bill, more than $800 million in highway reimbursements and transit grants to states and urban areas would not be dispersed. This inaction would endanger more than 28,000 jobs nationwide.

And so, for the second time this week, we have averted catastrophe--which begs the question, is this how we will continue on for the next two years?

This is a legitimate question, one which was raised at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' annual meeting earlier today. These are the people who have to figure out how to complete long-term projects--and plan new ones--while we lurch forward in short increments. They live in a world where they have to think in months and years, not weeks or news cycles.

In response to a question about getting a long-term bill done, all Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood could say was: ``If we don't get something significant done this year I think it will be very difficult.'' I'd say that is an understatement.
Certainly, the irresponsible, indiscriminate, and short-sighted 24 percent cut to transportation funding contained in H.R. 1 did not inspire a great confidence. We need to do better.

Every community has transportation needs for which federal help is vital. For example, in Hawaii, we are using federal funds to expand the capacity of our ports, and to build new rail transit for our citizens. These are projects that are putting people to work now, and will pay significant dividends for our economy for years to come. These projects will help to connect people with businesses, and businesses with workers. They will help to get cars off our streets, and expand the amount of commerce that can move in and out of our islands.

Again, I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will now come together on a long-term transportation bill. This is our opportunity to show that we can do something that will be a game-changer for our economy in the 21st century. Over the few months that this bill gives us, we can spend our time wisely debating how best to direct federal dollars to help our states and cities. I hope that this is a bipartisan effort, and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Committee to make this happen.

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