Chairman Rockefeller Applauds Senate Commerce Committee's Extension of Critical Highway Programs
July 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, worked today to extend critical highway and vehicle safety programs authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill to extend the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration safety programs, a hazardous materials research program administered by the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and a boating safety program administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, which are all funded by the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).
“This extension will allow the Obama Administration and Congress the time necessary to develop a comprehensive 21st century surface transportation bill that meets our country’s enormous transportation needs,” said Rockefeller. “We must continue building critical infrastructure like safe roads and bridges and fund federal safety programs aimed at reducing fatalities and improving safety on our highways.”
MAJOR SAFETEA-LU POINTS:
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) programs expire on September 30, 2009.
This legislation would extend the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety programs for 18-months (i.e., until March 1, 2011).
The legislation would authorize funding levels for the NHTSA and FMCSA safety programs consistent with the fiscal year 2009 authorization levels from SAFETEA-LU.
The legislation would also authorize administrative expenses to ensure that the NHTSA and FMCSA continue to operate at current service levels for the 18-month period.
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