FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 19, 2000
Contact: Bill Adams
Tel.: (202) 366-5580
DOT 98-00

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY 2001 transportation appropriations bill that contains some of the Administration’s funding requests for critical safety, aviation, mobility, environmental and economic programs. We are at a critical point in shaping the transportation system of the new century and new millennium, and we must make these investments now for our transportation system to deal effectively with the issues of the future.

The House has accommodated some of the Administration’s requests, including support for transportation infrastructure programs. The House also includes needed funding for Amtrak capital, the highway and transit funding envisioned at the time of the passage of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), and the aviation capital funding provided in the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century. The levels of investment for these programs will help enhance safety, use and efficiency, provide better connections, and help ensure better conditions and performance of the nation’s transportation system. The House also included funding levels necessary to address critical motor safety issues and the Coast Guard’s military readiness.

However, the House needs to fully fund critical aviation operations requirements that will allow our aviation system to expand to handle growing levels of passengers and freight. The House did not support the Administration’s expanded intercity passenger rail program or our full funding request for pipeline safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operations and research programs, the Mississippi Delta initiative, and the Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot (TCSP) program. In addition, the Administration strongly opposed the proposed recision of $60 million for the Farley/Pennsylvania Station Project and the inclusion of language prohibiting the department from revising CAFE standards.

I want to express my thanks to Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young and Ranking Member Congressman David Obey and Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf and Ranking Member Congressman Martin Sabo. The Administration looks forward to working with Congress to complete an FY 2001 appropriations bill that will meet the nation’s critical transportation needs.