Senate Considers Transportation Appropriations Legislation

The Senate began consideration this week of the FY 2012 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations legislation. Congress has failed to enact any of the appropriations bills necessary to fund the federal government in FY 2012, and the stop gap continuing resolution currently in place expires on Nov. 18. The transportation appropriations bill has been consolidated with two other appropriations bills in an attempt to expedite the process. A final vote on the legislation is expected late tonight or tomorrow. The legislation would fund the highway and transit programs in FY 2012 at the same level as FY 2011. In addition, the bill provides an additional $1.5 billion in emergency relief funding and $550 million for the Tiger discretionary grants program. Several amendments that would impact transportation funding were considered but not adopted. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) is expected to offer an amendment to prevent the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from adopting proposed revisions to the truck driver hours of service regulations that would reduce the number of daily and weekly hours that drivers in the construction industry can operate their vehicles.  AGC wrote to all Senators in support of the Ayotte amendment, pointing out that the current hours of service rules have been in place for more than seven years, and during that period of time the data shows there has been no decline in highway safety. AGC also pointed out the negative impact the proposed rules would have on construction industry efficiency. The funding levels in the bill contrast significantly from the bill approved by the House transportation appropriations subcommittee which set funding levels at far lower levels. Those funding levels adhere to the principles set earlier this year in a budget resolution passed in the House which directed that highway and transit funding be set at levels that are supported by Highway Trust Fund revenue. The full House Appropriations Committee has not yet acted on the measure. Previously Congress passed a six month extension of the authorization for these programs at current funding levels. The appropriations bill is needed to provide the cash necessary to meet the authorized funding levels. For more information, please contact Brian Deery at (703) 837-5319 or deeryb@agc.org.