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[Page: S11718]  GPO's PDF
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   Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, as we wrap up business for the 107th Congress, I would like to engage in a brief colloquy with my Environment and Public Works Committee and budget Committee colleagues regarding an issue that will set the groundwork for reauthorization of the surface transportation program next Congress. Specifically, what the baseline figure will be for the program. Will it reflect the fiscal year 2003 enacted spending level or the pending CR level.

   As my colleagues know, although Section 137 of Public Law 107-240, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for fiscal year 2003, provides that the highway program be funded at the fiscal year 2002 level of $31.8 billion, section 137 limits total annual obligations for the program to not more than $27.7 billion. Given that the fiscal year 2003 enacted level for surface transportation may not be known until after the President's fiscal year 2004 budget proposal is submitted, I have a concern that we could be faced with an artificially low baseline figure. I hope we can reach agreement now that it would be the intention of the Budget Committee to use the highest possible figure as the baseline for fiscal year 2003 when developing their fiscal year 2004 resolution. Ideally I would like to see a baseline of $31.8 billion.

   At a minimum I hope that next year's Budget Resolution will ensure that all revenues into the highway account of the Highway Trust Fund will be available to the EPW Committee for authorization with the existing budgetary protections.

   I know we can all agree that a strong surface transportation program creates and preserves jobs, and thereby boosts the economy. Beginning reauthorization discussions with a low baseline figure stunts the value of the economic

[Page: S11719]  GPO's PDF

   If my colleagues would care to comment, I will be happy to yield.

   Mr. JEFFORDS. I thank the Senator for yielding for my comments. I agree with my colleague Senator INHOFE and I look forward to working with him on this major transportation reauthorization bill. He is correct that beginning reauthorization discussions with a low baseline will hinder our efforts in crafting a truly robust national program which will provide strong economic and transportation benefits for all regions. I would be happy to yield back to my colleague Senator REID.

   Mr. REID. I agree with my colleagues. The transportation bill will be one of the most important pieces of legislation taken up by the next Congress. The series of reauthorization hearings we held this past year made clear the importance of a well-functioning transportation system to our nation's economy and quality of life. These hearings also laid out the challenges our transportation system faces due to increasing congestion, safety concerns, the deterioration of our infrastructure, and the rapid projected growth in freight movements. Finding the necessary funds to address these problems will be our toughest reauthorization challenge and I hope that we can work closely with the Budget Committee to ensure that we devote the maximum resources possible to maintaining and improving our transportation infrastructure.

   Mr. BOND. Senator INHOFE accurately states that transportation dollars have a direct effect on jobs and the economy in this country. For example, earlier this year there was a proposed $8.6 billion reduction in fiscal year 2003 proposed spending from fiscal year 2002 enacted level for highways. This would cost an estimated 6,600 jobs in Missouri alone. Fortunately, the Environment and Public Works Committee in working with our colleagues on the Senate Transportation Appropriation Subcommittee have proposed full funding for fiscal year 2003.

   More importantly, we need to recognize that our nation's transportation infrastructure is also an issue of safety. There is no question that increased investment in our nation's transportation system saves lives. For these reasons and more, I stand with my colleagues on Environment and Public Works in doing everything in our power to maintain a robust highway program as we go into reauthorization .

   Mr. NICKLES. I appreciate my colleagues comments and agree with them that the revenues collected through the federal gas tax should be used to maintain and improve our transportation infrastructure. I will work with my colleagues to ensure this is the case.

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