[Senate Hearing 111-31]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 111-31
NOMINATION OF HON. RAY LaHOOD
TO BE SECRETARY OF THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
JANUARY 21, 2009
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
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50-180 PDF WASHINGTON : 2009
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0SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West Virginia, Chairman
DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas,
JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts Ranking
BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine
BARBARA BOXER, California JOHN ENSIGN, Nevada
BILL NELSON, Florida JIM DeMINT, South Carolina
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi
MARK PRYOR, Arkansas JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia
CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri DAVID VITTER, Louisiana
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas
TOM UDALL, New Mexico MEL MARTINEZ, Florida
MARK WARNER, Virginia MIKE JOHANNS, Nebraska
MARK BEGICH, Alaska
Ellen L. Doneski, Chief of Staff
James Reid, Deputy Chief of Staff
Christine D. Kurth, Republican Staff Director and General Counsel
Paul Nagle, Republican Chief Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on January 21, 2009................................. 1
Statement of Senator Rockefeller................................. 1
Statement of Senator Kerry....................................... 1
Prepared statement........................................... 1
Statement of Senator Hutchison................................... 7
Prepared statement........................................... 9
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 11
Statement of Senator Snowe....................................... 12
Prepared statement........................................... 13
Statement of Senator Lautenberg.................................. 15
Statement of Senator Wicker...................................... 17
Statement of Senator Warner...................................... 18
Statement of Senator Pryor....................................... 19
Statement of Senator Thune....................................... 20
Statement of Senator Udall....................................... 21
Statement of Senator Dorgan...................................... 22
Statement of Senator DeMint...................................... 23
Statement of Senator Klobuchar................................... 24
Statement of Senator McCaskill................................... 54
Statement of Senator Begich...................................... 58
Witnesses
Hon. Richard J. Durbin, U.S. Senator from Illinois............... 4
Hon. Robert H. Michel, Former U.S. Representative, Illinois...... 6
Hon. Ray LaHood, Secretary-Designate, U.S. Department of
Transportation................................................. 26
Prepared statement........................................... 29
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to Hon. Ray LaHood by:
Hon. John D. Rockefeller IV.................................. 61
Hon. Daniel Inouye........................................... 63
Hon. John Kerry.............................................. 65
Hon. Barbara Boxer........................................... 66
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 68
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 69
Hon. Frank Lautenberg........................................ 70
Hon. Tom Udall............................................... 71
Hon. Mark Begich............................................. 73
Hon. Kay Bailey Hutchison.................................... 73
Hon. Jim DeMint.............................................. 74
Hon. John Thune.............................................. 76
NOMINATION OF HON. RAY LaHOOD
TO BE SECRETARY OF THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2009,
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:05 p.m. in room
SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Senator John D.
Rockefeller, Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WEST VIRGINIA
The Chairman. The meeting will come to--the hearing will
come to order. I want to start out my chairmanship by yielding
to John Kerry who has a 30-minute, maybe 30-hour or 30-second
announcement he wants to make.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN F. KERRY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS
Senator Kerry. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I
appreciate the privilege. I'm managing the nomination on the
floor so I need to leave.
I just wanted to welcome you as Chairman. We're delighted
that you're going to be taking the helm of this Committee. We
know your passion for all of the issues in front of the
Committee.
And just personally, as somebody who's shared this journey
with you on the Committee, I'm delighted that you've taken on
the gavel. And I look forward to your leadership. It's good to
be here with you.
I want to welcome our new Senators also. It's great to have
all them here. And I would ask unanimous consent that my full
statement be placed in the record as if read in full.
[The prepared statement of Senator Kerry follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. John Kerry, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
Thank you Mr. Chairman, and welcome Congressman LaHood. In your
fourteen years serving the constituents of Illinois' 18th District, you
built a record that has won you the respect of colleagues across party
lines for your commitment to pursuing the best policy solutions
regardless of party affiliation.
At a time when our physical infrastructure is in desperate need of
repair, our crowded skies are in need of a navigation system fit for
21st century air travel, and our collective thinking on transportation
policy must account for the increasing effects of global climate
changing, I am hopeful that you will bring a breath of fresh air to an
agency that will be at the center of an infrastructure revolution in
this country.
Despite the onslaught of bad financial news, we all have the
privilege to live and work and travel in the most prosperous nation in
the world. But travel by train in this country, you'd never know it.
Meanwhile, traffic congestion continues to worsen in American
cities of all sizes, creating a $78 billion drain on the U.S. economy
in the form of 4.2 billion lost hours and 2.8 billion gallons of wasted
fuel. In 2007, domestic flight delays cost the U.S. economy $41 billion
and consumed about 740 million additional gallons of jet fuel according
to the Joint Economic Committee.
As part of the upcoming debate on economic stimulus, we're
preparing to make a massive investment in this country's
infrastructure. In my mind, that investment has to come with a
commitment to the transportation infrastructure that will help us
become cleaner and more efficient travelers in this next American
century. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what that
commitment should look like.
I also look forward to hearing your view on the Administration's
commitment to implementing the CAFE standards adopted as part of the
Energy Independence and Security Act. I originally introduced fuel
economy legislation in 2002, and this Committee has been fighting for
years to improve the efficiency of our Nation's passenger fleet. This
bill is one of the most important pieces of energy legislation that we
have passed during my time in the Senate--one which was sorely overdue.
This legislation is a key element of our efforts to ensure that the
advanced cars and trucks of the future are built here in America.
Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has not yet promulgated a final
rule implementing the 2007 fuel economy legislation. I hope that you
view this as an opportunity to write a standard that will support our
climate change and energy security goals by moving the domestic auto
industry as quickly as practicable toward the goal of achieving at
least 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
The Chairman. And so be it.
Senator Kerry. And I look forward to supporting your
nomination Congressman. We'd reached our agreements over lunch
yesterday and after the Inauguration, but I really look forward
to your stewardship there. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Kerry. And
obviously I want to welcome everyone to the first session.
Not everybody is here. But it's two. Nobody expected it
would be that early.
And I wanted, with the forbearance of the three
distinguished people at the witness table, I want to just say a
word about the Committee. I'm not Chairman. I'm still Chairman
of the Intelligence committee, so you can pitch me right out of
the room if you want.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. But Danny actually isn't big enough to do
that, you see. So, I'm OK.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. This is a very exciting thing to me. I'm
deeply proud to be Chairman of this Committee or to be able to
get into that position. I've been on this Committee for 24
years, and have specialized in certain areas.
I had no idea until I started to do preparation the
unbelievable scope of what it is that we have to do, everything
from putting ten extra runways at O'Hare Airport if Dick Durbin
wants it.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. I mean, there's just no end to our capacity
of affecting climate change, transportation,
telecommunications, the FCC. We've got control of sports.
Unfortunately, it's only college sports, not professional
sports, but----
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. We'll take what we can get. And I'm very
proud that Senator Inouye, who I think is going to come today,
is now doing Appropriations. And I'm very proud that I've been
able to work with him.
I look forward, I think we all do, to working very, very
hard for Americans, setting forth a very aggressive agenda on
this Committee. I think this Committee over the years has had
its ups and downs, but we have not been always at our best. And
I think our challenge now is to be at our best all the time on
all subcommittees, all subcommittees. Everything rises in
importance to the level of anything else, not just what catches
the moment or what seems to be the most intractable.
I'm also looking very much forward to working with Kay
Bailey Hutchison, who will be Ranking, and all members as we
move things through the Committee. On the Democratic side we're
welcoming Senator Mark Begich, who evidently walks everywhere
in this city. Walked home from the last ball last night. Was
that the three o'clock one?
Senator Begich. I don't know what time it ended, but it was
late.
The Chairman. It was late. OK.
[Laughter.]
Senator Begich. But I'm here for you.
The Chairman. And Tom Udall. And Mark Warner. All of them
are distinguished people who are going to be on the Commerce
Committee when the resolution passes, which could very well
before the end of the day I would think.
We're not organized, you know. We don't know who the new
Republican members are going to be. And I hope Kay Bailey comes
and tells us so that we know. But we are not able at this point
to really have a subcommittee structure fully worked out as to
who's going to be on what subcommittee until we know who all
the members are going to be. And that makes sense. And it's
frustrating. But it's the way things should work if they have
to work that way.
I'm very excited by the talent on both sides of the aisle
here. I think when you really look at the scope of the Commerce
Committee you see it's endless. And it's one of the original
committees created. And its work is really wherever we want it
to go.
I think we can be a big part of climate change legislation,
a big part of economic recovery. I look forward to working with
members on a bipartisan basis, and I expect that we'll get a
lot done.
I want us to have a very aggressive agenda. That doesn't
mean that we meet three times a day, but it means that we meet
on a regular basis. We'll try to systemize that so people can
put that on their calendars, whether that's going to be a
couple times a week, whatever. I promise that I'll share that
kind of news with my colleagues very shortly.
Now we have to begin the business of this day, which is a
very good day, because we have before us the confirmation
hearing of Congressman Ray LaHood to be Secretary of
Transportation. I'm for him anyway, but my wife Sharon said
that even if I weren't I would have to be because she's from
Illinois too. And so, that's that.
[Laughter.]
So I'd like to congratulate Representative LaHood on his
nomination. And if you have any family members here we would be
very proud to meet them.
Mr. LaHood. Thank you, Senator. Thank you very much for
holding this hearing. My wife and three of my children are
here. And I would like to introduce them, if they would stand.
My wife of 42 years, Kathy. Sitting next to Kathy is my
son, Sam. Behind Sam is my oldest son, Darren, and his wife,
Kristen. And my daughter, Amy, and her husband, Kevin are here.
Kevin, are you here? Stand up.
[Laughter.]
Mr. LaHood. That is the LaHood army. It doesn't get any
better than that, Mr. Chairman. So, thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you very much. Now we also have another
great opportunity because we have former Congressman Bob
Michel, who I've always been a great fan of. I'll never forget
that garage story you told me, Congressman Michel. It remains
deep in my heart and part of my affection and respect for you.
And then my fellow White Sox fan, Dick Durbin. Well that
was embarrassing last night. I mean there was only one White
Sox fan in the entire crew out there in Afghanistan. And I kept
thinking about you.
So they are going to introduce Congressman LaHood. And I
cannot think of two finer human beings, more experienced
people, to be able to do that. And so, please do so.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD J. DURBIN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS
Senator Durbin. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Let me
also acknowledge Senator Hutchison. Glad you're with us here
today at the kick-off of this newly-formed Commerce Committee.
I want to personally thank the Chairman for who now is
assuming this responsibility. It was my good fortune to serve
on the Intelligence Committee for 4 years where you served as
Ranking Member and as Chairman. And I know the fine work you
did there. Much like the minister who shoots a hole in one on
Sunday morning, you couldn't talk to us about your best work.
And I just want to say publicly that you have dedicated
yourself to the assignments you've been given whether it's on
the Intelligence Committee or on the Commerce Committee and
call on your staff to really perform at the highest level. I'm
glad to hear it will be an active committee. And under your
leadership it will be a very effective committee. So I
congratulate you on that score.
You know, a lot of us here wax poetic about the good old
days around Capitol Hill. And for a few members on this
committee, including Senator Wicker, who've had the good
fortune to serve in the House of Representatives, that's where
many of us got started. And there were great old days.
And I can recall coming to the Congress and meeting right
off the bat, not only the Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill,
but one of his closest friends, the Republican leader, Bob
Michel from my State of Illinois. Those were days when we
fought like cats and dogs on the floor all day and then managed
to find some time to be together in the evenings and get to
know one another on a bipartisan basis. And that really made
for a much more pleasant and productive environment. I think
what President Obama had to say yesterday and what's he's been
saying throughout his campaign is the hope that we will return
to that environment.
I just want to say that the nominee for Secretary of
Transportation is a person who follows in that tradition. Ray
LaHood distinguished himself in many ways, first as Chief of
Staff to the Minority Republican Leader, Bob Michel and then in
his own right as Congressman from that same district. He led
the effort in the House of Representatives during some of the
most divisive and contentious times to find civility and
decorum. And to try to have bipartisan retreats where members
would come together with their families and really come to know
one another on a personal basis.
As you come to know Ray you'll understand why his
leadership in this area was genuine and personal. It's been my
good fortune to know him for many years. Born and bred in the
City of Peoria, Illinois, he's been a schoolteacher before he
got involved in government work. And I will tell you as a
member of the only Congressional delegation, a good bipartisan
delegation, I didn't have a closer friend than Ray LaHood, who
was on the opposite side of the aisle and represented my
hometown of Springfield.
We worked on so many things together, transportation
projects, economic development projects. I trusted him
completely. His word was good. And I knew that we could work
together in a positive and productive way and show some results
at the end of the day. We also co-chair the Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission which will celebrate the 200th
anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth in February of this
year. So we've worked together in a lot of different
capacities.
I know that President Obama started off in forming his
Cabinet wanted to make sure that it was bipartisan and to show
that there were leading Republicans who could serve in his
Cabinet and do so effectively. I'll be honest with you. I went
to him and I said I think Ray LaHood is that person. I hope
you'll consider him. And he said he would.
I know that Rahm Emmanuel as the President's Chief of Staff
knows Ray as closely as I do, as well as I do. And he felt the
same way. And this opportunity came along and it was a great
one.
Because Ray LaHood has shown his understanding of
transportation issues as a Member of Congress and has worked
for these issues during the time that he served. We have this
traditional rivalry that many of you have in your states
between downstate and Chicago. And some politicians make a
career out of poking the wounds between those two areas and
trying to keep everybody fighting with one another.
Now Ray and I come from the downstate side of that
equation. Neither of us has ever tried to capitalize on that
geographical distinction. If we had an important meeting of the
Illinois delegation about a major mass transit issue in the
City of Chicago, Ray LaHood of Peoria would be there because of
his genuine interest in our state and its transportation. And
whether it was highways for downstate, whether it was mass
transit for the City of Chicago, the development of one of the
nation's most important airports in O'Hare or looking forward
to the vision of how we can use smart transportation modes to
reduce the use of energy and to try to protect our environment,
Ray LaHood has been a leader in that regard.
Now if he is graced with the approval of the Senate and I
hope that he will be, to be our next Secretary of
Transportation, he will have an awesome, immediate
responsibility. This new Recovery and Reinvestment bill focuses
a lot on our nation's bridges, highways, the infrastructure,
the airports, realizing that's critical to economic growth. I
can't think of a better person to be given that assignment. And
that's why I come here today to completely support his
nomination.
A former DOT official was recently quoted as saying, ``the
most important part of the DOT Secretary's job is knowing how
to work with other people.'' Well I can tell you, Mr. Chairman,
Ray LaHood has the most important part of that job covered if
he becomes our next Secretary of Transportation. I'm pleased
and proud as a fellow Illinoisan to wholeheartedly recommend
him and encourage the confirmation of my friend, Ray LaHood.
Thank you very much.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Durbin. Yes, sir.
STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT H. MICHEL,
FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, ILLINOIS
Mr. Michel. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I
appreciate the opportunity to piggyback on the great
introduction of our Senator Dick Durbin. I've known the LaHood
family for over 25 years. And I know that when Ray grew up it
was in the climate of work ethic and certainly being frugal
about how you spent your money.
Before his election to the Congress to succeed me as my
Chief of Staff, he was for 10 years in that position just prior
to his being elected to the Congress. It was my last 10 years
out of 14 years as leader on the minority side of the aisle in
the House. And during that time our relationship became much
more than employee/employer relationship. Over that period of
time we became the best of friends. I think, quite frankly,
both families would say that we were family with one another.
He's a very quick study on the issues of the day. Always
careful in his decision-making process. And has a special gift
for dealing fairly with his contemporaries. I tell you he's
guided with a wonderful, moral compass. He knows right from
wrong. He's an honest, forthright individual. I could trust
him, as Senator Durbin said, without any reservation
whatsoever.
And as a Congressman he was no ideologue, a conservative
Republican, always a gentleman and respectful of his
contemporaries and willing to work for a consensus. His special
efforts to improve the relationship in the House which is at
times--I'd enjoyed the wonderful days earlier on. And then it
became worse and worse and the rancorous exchanges; it was just
rather nauseating at times.
Ray had the good experience of having experienced it really
kind of under both conditions. And when he came then to the
Congress he wanted to do whatever he could to let's get back to
the days when we could talk with one another and counsel with
one another. And as Dick Durbin has said, he did a marvelous
job trying to organize, I think, three or four of those
retreats with so many whatever Republicans wanted to come,
whatever number of Democrats wanted.
And as a matter of fact it led to Tom Foley and I, the then
Speaker, former Speaker of the House, to visit and counsel with
some of those freshman members to try and encourage them to
take advantage of that opportunity to get to know one another.
And do away with these acrimonious exchanges. Well, after a
while it dissipated and but I always have to give Ray the
credit for trying to make the most of it.
And then finally, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate your
conceding to my asking for just a minute or two to buttress
Dick Durbin's introduction. I have to applaud the President for
seeing the qualities in Ray LaHood that will serve his
Administration well. I think there's no question but that every
member of this committee when all is said and done, will be
mighty proud of his service as the Secretary of Transportation.
And I'm sure Ray will always keep in mind too, that he has an
obligation, certainly to please the President who is the
benefactor in this case. And thank you, Mr. Chairman and the
members of the Committee for the opportunity to speak on behalf
of my dear friend and compatriot, Ray LaHood.
The Chairman. Thank you, Congressman. Thank you very, very
much.
Mr. Michel. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you. Let me just say before I call on
Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Ranking Member to make any comments
that she may want to make, that we had to postpone this
hearing. And it's one of those infuriating things called
paperwork.
People have to answer so many questions now. And so the
word was well they hadn't finished the paperwork, so that's why
we had to cancel the meeting and then people said it was the
FBI that does the paperwork so we removed the word FBI because
otherwise everybody would think something was going on, Ray. We
didn't want that because, you know, the Ranking Member and I
read your FBI report and it's just sparkling clean and I wanted
to say that.
Before we actually proceed, my opening statement will come
before my opening questions. And I'd now like to say that I'm
very honored to have as the Ranking Member Kay Bailey
Hutchison. We've served on this committee together for years.
We've done aviation together successfully for a number of
years. It's a very strong working relationship. She's an
extraordinarily talented person, as everybody knows. And I
would like to call on you, Senator Hutchison for whatever
comments you might want to make.
STATEMENT OF HON. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS
Senator Hutchison. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since this is
our first real hearing as Chairman and Ranking Member I
appreciate your remarks and do look forward to having this
relationship continue. We've done some great work in aviation.
We had and agreed to FAA reauthorization through our committee
last year.
I look forward to working on that again this year. And I
hope that our committee will be very active. And I look forward
to working with you.
I also wanted to welcome the new members on our side of the
committee. Johnny Isakson, Sam Brownback, Mel Martinez, Mike
Johanns, our new members that will be joining our committee
this year.
Congressman LaHood, we welcome you. And certainly you have
had two outstanding endorsements already. And many of us who've
worked with you do agree with your integrity and the ability to
come together and do things in a bipartisan way. And I think
your appointment shows that we are going to have input that
will be very important in this Administration.
There are three areas that I am concerned with, that I
think are a priority. Certainly this year the Highway Trust
Fund, the Highway Reauthorization will be before us. And it is
my hope that we can timely pass a Highway Authorization bill.
I say that with almost tongue in cheek because it usually
takes us three or four years to pass that five-year bill. And
then we pass it and a year later, we have to do it again. But
it is important that we work together and you will be a key
leader here.
One of my great concerns is the Highway Trust Fund. I think
it does not meet today's test of relevance. Certainly the
highway system, the Federal system has been built out. We have
the skeleton.
And I think today, unlike when President Eisenhower started
the system, every state has its own priorities and its own
capability to fund. So I think the old donor/donee concept
really needs to be looked at carefully. We would always have to
have some small percentage of the gasoline taxes for the
maintenance of the highway system. I think we would all agree
on that.
But I do think now that states have such great needs that
especially growing states like mine, that are also donor
states, need some relief from the huge amount that we send to
Washington and never get back. We're now looking at more toll
roads, more taxes to fund our highways when we're sending
billions to Washington and going to other states. So I hope
that we can start looking at a concept where states would be
able to have their own money, their own priorities in the
Highway Trust Fund with some smaller amount that would be kept
for maintenance. That is something that the Secretary of
Transportation has suggested in the last 6 months or so. And I
think it's something that is very, very important for us to
start discussing.
Second, FAA Reauthorization, which as we have noted, this
committee passed in a very bipartisan way because it is so
important. And our bill passed through the Senate and was
generally supported. It did not get through conference so we
still don't have one. And in March the FAA extension runs out.
We know that NextGen for our air traffic control system is
essential for us to be able to use our air space in the most
efficient way, in the most safe way and also our ground space.
And because our NextGen has not been able to go forward in a
comprehensive way, we do still have many delays, especially in
the New York airspace which then affects the whole country.
So I hope that it will be one of your major priorities that
we pass an FAA Reauthorization bill and that we get it signed
by the President and that we really focus on our air traffic
control system becoming more efficient and certainly with
safety as a priority. I think we can do that. And we will
certainly need the help of this Administration.
Third, is Amtrak and high-speed rail. I believe that this
Administration that has just taken the oath of office yesterday
will be more favorable to Amtrak. And one of the things that
Senator Lautenberg and I have done on this committee is made a
pact that Amtrak is Amtrak, that our national system is
important for our country and for the future. And I support the
Northeast Corridor and he and others that are in the Northeast
support the national system.
But the national system has been a stepchild. And if we are
going to continue to have very bad service, it's going to
exacerbate the problem with the funding. So I hope that you
will look at Amtrak and high-speed rail as a priority in this
Administration. Because I think if we're going to have a
transportation system that serves all the people of our
country, it's going to mean we have aviation, we have high-
speed rail and Amtrak from which states can form compacts and
add to the efficiencies as well as of course, our highway
system.
And I think with that kind of priority focus we can do so
much better. And I look forward to working with you to that
end. Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Senator Hutchison follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Senator from
Texas
Thank you Senator Rockefeller, it is always a pleasure to work with
you and I look forward to a prosperous session in our new roles.
Senator Rockefeller and I have worked together for a number of years,
most recently as respective Chair and Ranking Member of the Aviation
Subcommittee. We have always worked in a bipartisan manner and I look
forward to the challenges ahead of us.
Many of the Committee's most difficult challenges will also test
today's nominee. I am pleased that this Committee is moving
expeditiously on the nomination of the Honorable Raymond LaHood for the
position of Secretary of Transportation. I think this is very
appropriate since the range of problems confronting the next Secretary
is amongst the most difficult that any new Secretary has faced in quite
some time.
As Rep. LaHood is keenly aware, we are all looking for ways to
revive our economy and many have suggested infrastructure and other
transportation related projects can play a long term role in moving our
country forward.
It is important our next Transportation Secretary provides the
stable leadership and strong voice needed to ensure transportation is a
priority within the new Administration.
I expect Rep. LaHood will need to hit the ground running. While I
reserve final judgment and although the specific details of a stimulus
package are not yet clear, transportation infrastructure programs are
likely to receive an increase in funding. If enacted, the quick and
efficient delivery of those funds to high priority projects will be
challenging, but it is very important they are spent appropriately and
efficiently.
One prerequisite and commitment I would like from Rep. LaHood, is
to create some short-term stability in our transportation programs.
Many States have good ready-to-go highway projects that will improve
surface infrastructure and bolster the economy; not just through the
addition of construction jobs, but also through the improved movement
of goods and people.
Unfortunately, the existing highway program expires at the end of
September, however. So Congress and the new Administration will have to
work very hard on a reauthorization. This will be very difficult
because of the current fiscal state of the Highway Trust Fund and also
because the current formula's disparate treatment between the states.
But we must reauthorize the program and stop passing short-term
extensions that send out dribbles of money to the states, preventing
states ability to plan and undertake large transportation projects.
Many projects could grind to a halt if we don't act.
We have already seen this scenario play out with the FAA
reauthorization bill, creating a dire situation with the airport grants
program. We all know that our aviation system is facing significant
capacity constraints. The problem is that the current extension for the
program and the taxes that support the aviation trust fund expire at
the end of March. The airports have only received half a year's
funding.
I hope that Rep. LaHood, if confirmed, would support a full Fiscal
Year extension of the current FAA Reauthorization bill, through
September 30, 2009. This Committee will work hard to pass a new FAA
Reauthorization bill, but we will need the Secretary's support and
coordination to do so in a timely manner.
As Secretary, you will also need to keep a close managerial eye on
the FAA's air traffic control modernization program, known as NextGen.
The funding, implementation, and transition management of NextGen needs
to be a priority for the Department. We are currently operating
outdated equipment with ever increasing congestion issues in the air
and on the ground. These congestion issues are causing problems
throughout the aviation system, particularly in the New York airspace.
A near-term focus is necessary on our national air transportation
system if we expect to meet the future travel demands and eliminate
gridlock in our skies and at our airports.
I also look forward to hearing your views on Amtrak and high speed
rail. I believe this is an area we have neglected too long. The Amtrak
reauthorization that has just been signed into law is an important
step, but now we need strong leadership at the Department to ensure
that we have a national passenger rail system that works.
I look forward to your testimony.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Hutchison.
What I'm going to do now and I'm still working it over in
my mind if I want to make this a regular practice. I think
sometimes if every single member gives an opening statement,
when you have people who have flown in from all kinds of places
to testify, and if you have a full committee, which I hope
we're going to have because it's going to be an exciting
committee and people are going to want to be here no matter
what the subcommittee or in some cases the full committee
meeting might be about, that opening statements take time.
The other side of that is that members have other meetings.
And I have to recognize that, and that they have things they
want to say.
So today we're going to have opening statements from each
member. I should say incidentally that our three new members,
one of whom has already defected----
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. Are to be treated today as members of the
Senate and because we don't have our actual ratios worked out
yet. So just members of the Senate, I mean you're just going to
have to live with that, hopefully just for one day.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. Is that OK? Alright.
And also I'd like to say that from now on I want to call on
people according to the order in which they arrived at the
Committee. This is not going to be, like most everything in the
Senate, based on seniority. I think having people speak other
than on the basis in which they arrived. If they arrived early,
they should speak earlier.
And I just happen to believe in that. But today we'll also
use the seniority system for that. We'll start with Senator
Cantwell, then we'll go to Senator Snowe and then back and
forth.
STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have a
very long opening statement. But I am concerned that I may not
be here for the question-and-answer part. So I'll just outline
my statement if I could, and hope that perhaps that I will be
able to get back and ask you some questions.
But obviously I want to congratulate you on your nomination
and for your hard work in the Congress. You may know that
Washington State recently has been very hard hit by a lot of
flooding. In fact Secretary, your predecessor, Secretary Peters
traveled to Washington State to look at and assess the flood
damage along I-5 and also brought with her some $2 million in
emergency relief funds which we very much appreciated.
I want to say that we'll be looking forward to working with
you on what may be as much as $125 million in damage to flood
areas in our state. And that brings up an even larger question.
Just--I'm trying to make this as short as possible, but the
previous flood damage that we had a year ago--every day that I-
5 is closed it costs our economy $10 to $12 million.
It's a freeway stretch that typically carries about 10,000
trucks a day, so that and our mountain passes being shut down
is where you get the $125 million in those kinds of activities.
So in addition to looking at that question there is a very
good, specific point, and I look forward to hearing your
comments about what you're going to do about funding of mega-
projects.
Mega-projects always get a lot of attention in assessing
the issue. But trying to take our transportation funding
mechanisms and breaking them down into a mechanism that will
actually get those projects funded and not delayed for us in
the State of Washington.
We have three different mega-projects that are of
importance to us: the Columbia River crossing, the Alaska Way
Viaduct and the SR 520 Bridge. Two of those are in jurisdiction
of Seattle and the Mayor and some of the council members are
here in D.C. talking about the major plan that they are about
to unveil for both of those projects. So I apologize if I'm off
meeting with them to hear those details instead of being back
here.
And last I would just like to say, Mr. Chairman that it's
very important to me the oversight that our committee has in
looking at your agency and the role you play as Secretary of
Transportation in helping us in the implementation of CAFE, the
fuel efficiency standards. I think that this is something that
is very important. The last Administration I would say, dropped
the ball on their ability to fully implement those regulations
in a way that would have helped us and helped American
consumers. And so I'll look forward to your comment on that
particular issue.
So, Mr. Chairman, I thank you for allowing me to make this
statement.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Cantwell. Senator Snowe?
STATEMENT OF HON. OLYMPIA J. SNOWE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE
Senator Snowe. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and congratulations
on your chairmanship. It's great to have this committee and to
have your leadership, thank you.
The Chairman. Well we've done a lot of work together.
Senator Snowe. We have. And we will on this committee.
The Chairman. That's right.
Senator Snowe. And I just want to congratulate you,
Congressman LaHood. And I want to personally welcome, it's a
privilege to see Congressman Bob Michel. I served with Bob in
the House of Representatives for many of the years in which he
was the Minority Leader. Out of my 16 years it was probably the
better part of a decade.
And so I'm very pleased to see him here today. And it's
reminiscent of the, you know, the many outstanding
accomplishments that he achieved during his tenure, his long-
standing service to this country. And I just want to say that
it's great to see you here, Bob. And also reminiscent of, you
know, the working together and the bipartisanship that always,
was a hallmark of your leadership.
And I certainly can testify, Mr. Chairman, to the
relationship that existed with Congressman LaHood and
Congressman Bob Michel. It certainly was that. And Congressman
LaHood you have certainly got an outstanding record of public
service, not only in the House of Representatives, but of
course in your service to Bob Michel as well. And you've always
had a reputation for fairness and pragmatism. And so I'm just
very pleased that you have been nominated to this capacity.
As we discussed 2 weeks ago there are a number of issues
that obviously you're going to have to address as Secretary of
Transportation. And most notably as Senator Hutchison mentioned
it's going to be infrastructure and transportation policy. The
two cornerstones of our transportation policy of course is the
Surface Transportation Act as well as the reauthorization of
the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA which is long
overdue as you all know. It expired about 18 months ago, in
fact.
But we're seeing a number of issues that are plaguing the
system that we will have to address as congestion continues
both on our highways and in the air. Prices continue to rise.
States are cutting back because of their own budgetary
shortfalls. Those that are not able to supplement their
transportation infrastructure, transportation programs and so
all the more reliant on those Federal dollars.
And we'll have to re-evaluate the Highway Trust Fund and
the way in which we fund the Trust Fund. That is certainly
deficient. One of the first bailouts we had last year in fact
was the Highway Trust Fund when they had a shortfall of more
than $8 billion.
It is expected that we could have a shortfall of $79
billion by 2015. And as members of the Senate Finance
committee, we heard testimony from the Government
Accountability Office this last July saying that the current
system is simply unsustainable. Just road maintenance alone
over the next 6 years will cost $350 billion and we have one in
five bridges that are woefully deficient and functionally
obsolete.
So as obviously revenues are declining to the Highway Trust
Fund, as vehicles become more fuel-efficient which is
critically important. We'll have to see how we will be able to
fund the Highway Trust Fund with alternative revenues or
alternative sources. But we'll have to be creative. And we'll
have to prioritize our investments without question.
The overall state of the aviation industry is a great
concern to many of us and certainly to Senator Boxer and
myself. We introduced a Passenger Bill of Rights which is
simply, you need a national standard according to the courts.
When states have taken, you know, their grievances to the court
is that they need a Federal standard. And we've seen the fact
that the industry has failed to unilaterally and voluntarily
adopt a customer service standard. And that's why we believe we
should have a Passenger Bill of Rights.
And finally CAFE standards as Senator Cantwell indicated.
That will be one of your first, hopefully, responsibility to
issue a regulation for the model year 2011. Regrettably it
wasn't done in this past Administration. But it's critically
important if we're going to stay on track for creating more
fuel-efficient vehicles. Senator Feinstein and I led the effort
for the CAFE standards. We want to stay on track and do more
and so hopefully that that will be one of your first actions as
Secretary of Transportation.
Finally, Essential Air Service for rural communities. I
know that you've been a strong advocate when you served as well
on the Transportation Committee in the House of
Representatives. I truly hope that you will look at legislation
that Senator Bingaman and I have introduced to provide more
flexibility.
We have seen, you know, more than 1,000 communities across
this country in half the states, we have lost, aviation
service. And that is truly the life blood of their economy,
certainly that is true in our state. And we have to do--we
really do have to develop a policy of some kind that's going to
provide the incentives and the support to our communities so
that they can continue to have aviation services. It's so
important for economic development.
So again I want to thank you. And I am pleased to see you
here today, and most importantly, notably, the position that
you will assume. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[The prepared statement of Senator Snowe follows:]
Prepared Statement of Olympia J. Snowe, U.S. Senator from Maine
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, Congressman LaHood, I would
like to congratulate you on your nomination. Given your productive,
bipartisan record as a legislator during your fourteen years in the
House of Representatives, I am very pleased that President Obama
selected such a strong and accomplished nominee with a reputation for
fairness and pragmatism. After more than thirty years of distinguished
public service, I am certain you were looking forward to a leisurely
retirement. Instead, you will be facing enormous challenges on a
variety of fronts as you begin your tenure as the Secretary of
Transportation.
Once again, Congress and the Department will seek to complete the
long-overdue reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration,
and looming on the horizon is the increasingly contentious Surface
Transportation Bill, or Highway Bill, due to expire this October. These
two cornerstones of our national transportation policy are operating,
to one degree or another, on principles that are increasingly
irrelevant in our current economy. The means by which we fund Federal
infrastructure need to be carefully reexamined, while our air traffic
control system continues to operate under an outdated, analog system
that reduces fuel efficiency and does little to reduce congestion. This
is not just the deterioration of our infrastructure that is at stake.
The lifeblood of our economy, the ability to move goods and people
efficiently from place to place, is in jeopardy.
One of Congress' first bailouts last year was not the troubled
financial services industry, but the Highway Trust Fund, to the tune of
$8 billion; or the number by which our obligations outpaced revenues
flowing into the Fund. Forecasts now predict the Federal Highway Trust
Fund will be insolvent for years, and faces ever-increasing deficits,
as much as $79 billion in 2015. As you are well aware, having been a
member of the House Committee on Transportation during the crafting of
the TEA-21 legislation, such a shortfall would place our Nation's roads
and bridges--already in bad shape--at greater risk. In 2004, the
Department published a study on road maintenance indicating that $350
billion over 6 years was necessary simply to maintain our nation's
infrastructure. That was 5 years ago. I can only speculate the number
has grown since that time, not to mention the fact that such an
estimate does not account for any improvements, which would clearly be
necessary given our increasing population and the growing distances
commuters are traveling from municipalities, ensuring that Federal
priorities are funded with revenues distributed out of the Highway
Trust Fund.
One of your first duties as Secretary of Transportation will be to
issue regulations on the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, which I authored
along with Senators Feinstein, Inouye, Cantwell, Kerry, Dorgan, and
Lautenberg. It was over a year ago when the President signed this
landmark legislation--the first increase in fuel economy since 1975,
yet no regulations have been issued. As you know, Federal statute
requires that for the 2011 model year regulations be issued by April 1
of this year in order to give automakers adequate time to meet the new
requirements. If the Department of Transportation fails to meet this
deadline, yet another year will be squandered in reducing carbon
emissions, cutting oil imports, and saving Americans money at the pump.
It is my expectation that aggressive and timely regulations will be
issued that reflect the maximum feasible levels and incorporate all of
the benefits of improved fuel economy. I look forward to hearing your
comments on the implementation of this critical law and it is my
expectation that the Department of Transportation will address this
issue expeditiously--another year delay would be unacceptable.
On a related topic that not only addresses fuel efficiency, but
also safety and economic fairness, my home state of Maine has long
sought an exemption from the Federal weight limit for motor carriers.
Instead of large trucks traveling on Interstates that were designed to
accommodate heavier vehicles, we have trucks weighing as much as
100,000 pounds idling at stop lights and stop signs in small towns and
villages, increasing emissions and wasting diesel fuel. These trucks
threaten pedestrians, bicyclists, and other individuals who otherwise
would remain out of danger were these large trucks permitted to operate
on the Interstates. Why is this a question of economic fairness?
Maine's neighbors, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, each possess
waivers for trucks in excess of 100,000 pounds--while our neighbor to
the north, Canada, permits well over 100,000 pounds on their Federal
roadways. Coupled with the paucity of rail infrastructure in much of
Maine, our state is the last choice in New England through which to
transport freight. In the meantime, pedestrians are being endangered--
and in some cases, killed--by larger motor carriers moving through
residential areas. I do not believe we can consider the 80,000 pound
Federal limit a standard any longer, when more than half of the fifty
states possess some sort of an exemption from this so-called
`standard'. I find it unacceptable that Maine cannot be considered for
such a statewide exemption, and will continue to work toward greater
safety and economic fairness for my home state.
Aviation remains another key component of this Committee's
jurisdiction that must be addressed. Now approaching eighteen months
past the expiration of the FAA authorization, our aviation industry is
facing difficult challenges that are resulting in consolidation,
bankruptcy, and reductions in service--particularly to smaller
communities. Capacity in 2008 was reduced by nearly 10 percent; fuel
prices shattered previous records and placed many legacy carriers on
dangerous footing. As jet fuel prices have declined, the global
economic recession deepened, resulting in fewer passengers and a
continuing reduction in revenues. What has the industry's response been
to these economic challenges? Instead of making flying more attractive
to consumers, many airlines are quietly squeezing more hard-earned
dollars out of passengers by heaping hidden costs onto basic customer
services, such as reserving flights by phone. I believe such policies,
which differ from airline to airline but, for the most part, are
practiced by almost all of the commercial carriers, are short-sighted
and only serve to encourage fewer passengers.
Many of the airlines seem to believe that their patrons are a
captive audience--passengers must simply accept whatever hardship the
airlines choose to impose upon them. To some extent, sadly, they are
correct. It is my hope that we can transform that attitude. Congressman
LaHood, it is my hope that we can work outlying suburbs and rural areas
in order to go to work, school, or enjoy recreational opportunities.
While the burgeoning raft of surcharges and fees continues to
outrage myself and my constituents, the failure to move the Passenger
Bill of Rights legislation introduced by Senator Boxer and I is even
more troubling because enhanced safety is at stake. Stranding
passengers on aircraft for hours at a time, in some extreme cases for
up to 14 hours, is unconscionable. Those passengers have no real
recourse. Long legal battles to recoup the price of a ticket are not a
wise investment, particularly against an airline with legions of
attorneys. In fact, due to our inaction, states began implementing
their own Passenger Rights legislation. Last year, New York State
enacted such a law. However, a Federal Appeals Court ruled it was
unconstitutional, claiming that any such consumer rights required a
``Federal standard.'' That is a clarion call for Congress, and the
Department, to act.
Why must the Federal Government act? These problems continue to
plague passengers; despite the system-wide reduction in the number of
planes in the skies, over a thousand aircraft were stranded on tarmacs
for over 3 hours in 2008--and that doesn't even include figures for
November and December. Additionally, statistics show record levels of
delays; according to numbers released on January 7, delays are hovering
at nearly an hour on average. While airlines are seeking the benefit of
the doubt, Congress gave them the opportunity to create voluntary
programs in 1998. As evidenced by continuing complaints from stranded
passengers, that effort has not been effective. In fact, the DOT
Inspector General, Calvin Scovel, in his report to this Committee
indicated the airlines' 1998 Customer Service Initiative fell well
short of its promises, considering it ``a failure.''
Lastly, an issue that is of great significance to many of my
constituents and, judging by your record on the issue, your former
district as well, is rural aviation service. Provided primarily through
the Essential Air Service program, many of these communities were
promised by Congress that, when we deregulated the airlines in 1978,
they would remain part of the new infrastructure system that would
result from this unleashing of the commercial air carriers. Yet every
year supporters of the program must fight for funding, funding that is
typically well below the authorized levels. Last Congress, Senator
Bingaman and I introduced a bill that would revise the EAS program,
make it more responsive to the needs of the individual communities that
participate in the program, ensure funding levels to improve planning
by those communities, and provide greater stability for both the
carriers and those same communities that rely on air service as an
economic development tool. It is my hope that after years of neglect,
this program will again come to represent the promise we made to those
rural communities thirty years ago.
In short, I believe we must have an efficient, redundant
transportation system, and that means a comprehensive, broad-based
network of passenger rail, aviation, roads and bridges, and maritime
transport. I look forward to hearing your proposals to allocate the
resources to continue this Nation's multi-faceted approach to insuring
our ability to move goods and people around the country and the world.
Mr. LaHood, I thank you for your continued exemplary service to our
country, your willingness to work across the aisle, and for your
integrity. I look forward to working with you as we enter a
transformative time in American transportation policy.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Snowe. Senator Lautenberg?
STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK R. LAUTENBERG,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY
Senator Lautenberg. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations
to you for taking on this important assignment. I have worked
with you for many years on the Commerce Committee and know that
you have a major interest in all of the issues in front of us.
And I look forward to your guidance and leadership here.
It's interesting to note that Ray LaHood is here from the
State of Illinois and he's had wonderful escorts to the table,
Senator Dick Durbin, who we all know very well and are
extremely proud of, and someone with whom I've had contact over
the years and that's Bob Michel. And we're glad to see Bob
Michel here. We always listen to him carefully even though
there is occasional policy disagreement. But so, Ray you've
come from a state with a lot of distinction.
Going back some years, I don't remember the fellow's name
who was President from Illinois, but after Lincoln we had
Everett Dirksen and we had Paul Simon. We've had other
wonderful people from the State of Illinois. They've always
made large contributions to the well-being of our country. And
we believe that you will also do that.
In many ways Transportation Secretary is one of the most
important jobs in the country. And you're going to be part of
an Administration that has its focus on economic recovery. The
President has announced his intention to get things moving.
One way to do that in my view is to make investments in
infrastructure, particularly transportation, because people are
ready to go to work. The jobs are crying out for fulfillment.
And we look forward to having your agreement.
We count on the Transportation Secretary to keep our
trains, buses and cars moving, but now we'll be counting on the
Secretary to help get our economy moving at the same pace that
we hope our railroads will be moving. Congress and President
Obama are working on an economic recovery package that would
invest in our trains, mass transit, roads, bridges. The
investment would create 470,000 jobs at a time when, as Senator
Inouye mentioned in an earlier meeting we had today, there are
recent reports of 500,000 jobs lost in a month and that pace
could accelerate, maybe even to 650,000 jobs in a month.
And so here's one way to put people to work and things that
will contribute handsomely to the well-being of the country.
And we hope that those investments will come. Hope that you'll
be able to support and plead for those investments.
Transportation is also critical to our environment: our
energy independence, to use less oil, emit fewer greenhouse
gases, and we need more Americans to use trains and mass
transit. Many are already making that choice. Nearly 29 million
people took Amtrak last year, a major record. And just think of
the number of cars that takes off the road. It's the sixth year
in a row with record ridership.
In addition, nearly three billion trips were taken on
buses, subways and other transit options in the third quarter
last year, a 6-percent increase over the same quarter in 2007
and the largest such increase in 25 years. In New Jersey,
transit is more than merely a way to get around. It's our life
blood. It helps businesses grow. It improves quality of life
across the board.
And we need to start looking at transit on a Federal level.
The same way we see it in urban centers across this country.
Just building more roads will not solve our transportation
problems. We can no longer leave passengers stranded on the
tarmac or waiting in long lines at the airport. Travelers and
commuters deserve more options like rail and transit to connect
our communities, cities and travel hubs such as the airports.
For this reason, Mr. LaHood, we need a strong and
innovative Transportation Secretary. And I believe that with
the wonderful recommendations that you bring with you, that
you're the person to do the job. I was pleased to meet with you
last weekend about these challenges and others important to New
Jersey and the Nation.
First, we talked about the need to fully fund Amtrak and
expand our passenger rail systems. Last year Congress and
President Bush recognized this need and passed the bipartisan,
my bill, Amtrak bill. This committee played a major role in
that vision. And now we need to provide the funding to see that
vision through.
We also talked about the critical need for an additional
rail tunnel under the Hudson River. It's a national asset. And
in addition to creating more than 50,000 jobs, construction
jobs, this new tunnel will handle double the number of
passengers and trains going back across the Hudson River from
New Jersey to New York. But in the Northeast Corridor, which is
the busiest rail corridor in the country, these improvements
will not happen without strong leadership in the Executive
Branch. I look forward to working with you, Ray LaHood on these
key issues as we continue the confirmation process. Thanks, Mr.
Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Lautenberg. Senator
Wicker?
STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI
Senator Wicker. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I too am
delighted and excited that my classmate and former colleague,
Ray LaHood is going to be our next Secretary of Transportation.
We came to elected office together in the House of
Representatives as a result of the 1994 elections. We were both
staffers for distinguished members of the House before that.
And I can tell you that, in my opinion, Ray LaHood has the
knowledge, experience, knowhow and temperament to be a fine
member of the Cabinet and an excellent Secretary.
It's already been mentioned that in the early days of our
time in the House of Representatives Ray LaHood served as Co-
Chairman of the House bipartisan retreat. And this really was
quite an undertaking. In an effort to get not only rank-and-
file membership, but the leadership of House Republicans and
House Democrats together in a way that would promote unity and
working together as Americans and a little relief from the
partisan rancor that sometimes we hear about.
It's also a fact that for many years Ray LaHood has taken a
leadership position in the House prayer breakfasts. And Mr.
Chairman this is an ecumenical group which meets every Thursday
morning for prayer in a bipartisan, non-partisan way in the
House of Representatives. So it should be no surprise based on
that that our new Democrat President has chosen this Republican
to be a part of his team.
Ray, in your opening statement, you mentioned fundamental
pillars of openness and fairness. And I think certainly you'll
be able to bring that to the Department. Also, it's a fact.
He's no pushover, Mr. Chairman. Ray LaHood has a very low
tolerance for nonsense. And I think that will also serve him
well in this position.
I want to mention by way of opening statement and maybe
I'll get a chance to ask a question about it later on. If not,
certainly one for the record. But it's been pointed out by
Senator Lautenberg and others that a good deal of the economic
stimulus is going to be directed toward transportation
infrastructure.
I see a proposal here for $43.1 billion, 5 percent of the
total including some $30 billion in highway infrastructure
investment. In that regard I want to caution my colleagues and
the Secretary about something that we call in Mississippi, the
``Katrina effect'' of sending a lot of infrastructure spending
at one time. Post Katrina in Mississippi we saw a huge increase
in contracting costs related to the recovery.
We spent money on roads, bridges, fire stations, and city
halls in addition to debris removal. And the extent that we
spent money for those challenges was unparalleled. In the
period following this, state officials and contractors often
mentioned the ``Katrina effect'' on cost. They were referencing
increases in cost across all trades related to the large influx
of Federal funds and subsequent demand on materials, man power
and other resources necessary to undertake the projects.
So I would just say to our Secretary-to-be and to my
colleagues, we need to be mindful of this issue as Congress
considers billions of dollars in transportation spending. I
love to see highways built. I want to see what we can do to
increase the number of bridges and roads built.
But if all of these shovel-ready projects are bid and
contracted in a very short period of time, we could create a
similar situation that we had with the ``Katrina effect'' in
Mississippi and on the Gulf Coast states. While the funds will
flow, higher costs due to abnormally high demand on
transportation construction industry could result in fewer
projects undertaken because of increased cost. It will be up to
us working with you, Mr. Secretary-designate to arrive at a
figure that our system can absorb without spiking the cost of
this very needed infrastructure.
And with that I yield back to the Chairman. And once again
say how delighted I am that my colleague and brother is going
to be assuming this leadership role.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Wicker and now, Senator
Warner?
STATEMENT OF HON. MARK WARNER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM VIRGINIA
Senator Warner. Well thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me first
of all say how excited I am to be on this committee with your
leadership and the leadership of Ranking Member Hutchison. I'm
looking forward to working with all of you.
I have to say at the outset that as many in the room know,
I, a few years ago, concluded a term of Governor of Virginia
and there was no issue more vexing than transportation. There
are a lot of things I can probably point to that we
accomplished, but solving Northern Virginia's transportation
woes unfortunately was not one of them.
Since the Chairman has given me opportunity to speak, let
me just raise three issues very quickly that I hope either now
or at some other point we can discuss. I recall as Governor how
challenging it was at times to deal with the Department of
Transportation at the Federal level because so many agencies
within your control over the last year plus have co-chaired a
bipartisan task force on infrastructure. And as we hopefully
move toward a 21st century infrastructure program to more
multi-modal projects, I wonder if you--I know this is very
early in your thinking process, but have you given any thought
to the 11 separate agencies you have within the Department and
how the boxes are aligned? And whether there needs to be any
realignment of those functions to make sure as we think about a
project like Dulles rail or others that use aviation, mass
transit and highway combined that you've got those funding
flows and goals all aligned on a multi-modal basis, number one?
Second, and again this would more relate to surface
transportation and acting on something Senator Wicker said, I
really wonder if we're going to take a fresh look at metrics.
You know, some of the old standards like VMT and others have
driven some of these formulas when truly at this point
mobility, safety, climate change, and a host of these other
issues are going to have to be somehow factored into the
metrics by which we evaluate projects. And I'd love to have
your comments on that.
And finally, on perhaps a more parochial basis, in Virginia
we have been very aggressive on the usage of public/private
partnerships. And we have actually some wins in that category
and again for the folks in the region we will soon see some
relief on the Virginia side of the beltway with the addition of
the hot lanes. I'd love to have your thoughts on public/private
partnerships. And while I'm generally supportive, one of the
things I think we always have to watch out for as we look at
public/private partnerships is making sure that the private
sector actually has some skin in the game, some risk capital,
and it's not just the public sector putting up the dough and
the private sector reaping the benefits at the back end of the
project. So if at some point you could comment on that as well.
But Mr. Chairman, thank you for letting me, as a member of
the Senate, have a chance to make a couple comments. And again,
I look forward to working with you on this and very other
important matters on this committee.
The Chairman. Thank you Senator Warner. And now I have to
regain my senses here and call on Senator Pryor.
STATEMENT OF HON. MARK PRYOR,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS
Senator Pryor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And congratulations
to you for being Chairman of this committee. And I really look
forward to working with you on this committee. And I think we
can have a great next couple of years here.
Let me thank Congressman LaHood for putting your name
forward for this very important post. And some of my colleagues
here have identified just a few of the areas that you're going
to have to deal with in your time at the Department of
Transportation. Someone mentioned rail, mass transit, FAA,
highway bill, ports, Amtrak. I don't think anyone has mentioned
pipelines, but you really have a very full plate.
And the fact that you come so highly recommended from both
Senator Wicker and my friend, Congressman Bozeman from Arkansas
really speaks volumes. And the fact that you want to do this in
a very bipartisan way, I think that's exactly where the
American people are. And I think you'll have a lot of folks on
this committee that really want to help you succeed in doing
that.
So Mr. Chairman, thank you. And I look forward to
everyone's statements and questions. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Senator Pryor. And so
now, Senator Thune?
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN THUNE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
Senator Thune. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to thank
you for holding the hearing and thank Congressman LaHood for
his willingness to serve in this capacity. I can echo what
evidently was stated by my former colleague from the House, now
colleague in the Senate, Senator Wicker, about Congressman
LaHood.
He is a quality appointment, someone who I had the great
privilege of working with when I was a member of the House on
the T and I Committee. And his former boss, Leader Michel is a
legend in the House as well. It's nice to see you here today.
But I do want to just as we look to the challenges that are
facing America's infrastructure, say that in a state where we
have lots of real estate and vast distances and not a lot of
people, that planes, trains and automobiles are pretty
important in South Dakota. And so transportation issues are
critical to my state. And as my colleague from Arkansas
mentioned we've got a number of big issues that are going to be
coming down the pike, not the least of which is the next
highway bill.
And as the next Secretary of Transportation you will have a
lot to say about how that bill is shaped and put together. I
think the cash-flow problems we're facing in the trust fund are
really critical. And I want to make sure as we go through the
process that we don't de- emphasize highway investment in rural
states.
I think that when it comes to highways that Federal
investment in states like South Dakota and others, that may be
in the middle of the country, enables those goods to move from
one part of the country to the other. And whether it's Seattle
to New York or Chicago or wherever, people in businesses in
those parts of the country benefit from the investments that
are made in the Midwest. And areas of the country that don't
have the population base just like the other areas of the
country benefit as well.
So and I had mentioned this to you in our individual
discussion, but Senator Wyden and I have a proposal that we've
been building support for called the Build America Bonds Act
which would help out all states and not just large states with
multibillion dollar infrastructure projects. And I hope that
you all give it consideration as an innovative option for
financing transportation projects as we move forward.
So again, delighted to welcome my former colleague here
today, Mr. Chairman. And the President couldn't have made a
better pick for this job. And I look forward to working with
him and with the members of this committee as we take on many
of these big transportation challenges.
The Chairman. Thank you Senator. And now, Senator Udall?
STATEMENT OF HON. TOM UDALL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO
Senator Udall. Thank you very much, Chairman Rockefeller.
And thank you for allowing us to participate today. And I also
thank the Ranking Member. I'm honored to be on this committee.
I'm going to, I think, enjoy it very much just by the beginning
we've had here today.
And I want to say to Ray LaHood, my former colleague in the
House of Representatives. I think this is an excellent
nomination by Barack Obama. I remember the years working with
you, Ray, in the House on a variety of issues, whether it was
renewable electricity or many other issues where you reached
across the aisle.
But one of the things that impressed me the most, in
addition to what Roger Wicker said in terms of you heading up
those bipartisan retreats that we had, trying to bring both
sides together, was that of my 10 years in the House, eight of
them the Republicans were in the majority, and when the
Republicans are in the majority the Speaker has the chair and
you were in the Speaker's chair many times. And as House
members know usually when you get to a very difficult vote, a
tough vote, you want somebody in the chair who's fair, who's
firm.
[Laughter.]
Senator Udall. Well, this is--I'm going to keep talking,
Ray anyway. This is a--I don't know what kind of signal we're
being sent, but anyways.
[Laughter.]
Senator Udall. But as the Chair you were known as someone
who was fair, someone who allowed openness and the ability to
speak, but wouldn't put up with any nonsense, and you would use
the gavel when it was appropriate. I think there was a
tremendous amount of respect for you the way you assumed the
role as Speaker Pro Tem. So I wanted my colleagues to know
that.
A couple of things that I hope you'll talk about as we get
into the questioning that I'd just like to raise briefly.
One is as we move forward on transportation you obviously
have a very significant agency. You've got 60,000 people,
billions of dollars. When we move forward in transportation
we're going to be trying to be more efficient, trying to do
things in a way where we're greener and have fewer greenhouse
gases.
And it seems to me, as you look at your Department, as we
spend every dollar, we're going to need to analyze what impact
we're having on the environment, on the air, on greenhouse gas
emissions. Are we doing it the most effectively we can? So
that's one area I hope you'll speak to as we get into the
debate here.
And when we talk about efficiency one of the interesting
things that's been done in my State of New Mexico, like many of
the Western States, we're big, we have many highways. Governor
Richardson has proposed a new commuter rail which now runs
almost 100 miles, called the Rail Runner from Belen, New Mexico
up to Santa Fe.
And so I think when we talk about efficiency we're going to
have to be analyzing whether we invest more in rail or do we
invest more in roads? Do we invest more in waterways or do we
invest more in roads? And I hope that your early analysis is to
find out if you have the capabilities to analyze what's the
best way to do that?
So with that I want to welcome you. And I am sure that you
are going to get a resounding vote whenever we get an
opportunity to do that because you have such an incredible
career. And one of the final things, you come from the seat of
Everett Dirksen. So I think that says something about seats
generating bipartisanship.
I mean when he was over here in the Senate he worked with
LBJ and the two of them forged a great bipartisan coalition to
move our country forward. So that's a great tradition, Abraham
Lincoln, Everett Dirksen and Ray LaHood. So thank you very
much, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Udall. Senator Dorgan?
STATEMENT OF HON. BYRON L. DORGAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA
Senator Dorgan. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
Congressman LaHood and Secretary-Designate LaHood, thank you
for being here. I'm not going to be able to stay for questions.
I regret that. But by now you are aware that we've called you
over here to talk to you.
[Laughter.]
Senator Dorgan. At some length, as a matter of fact. I'm
going to be mercifully brief. But I want to say two things.
I'm very interested in the Essential Air Services. You and
I have had a long conversation in my office about these issues.
I'm very interested in Amtrak and I'm very interested in the
training of air traffic controllers and how we're using our
university facilities across the country to do that.
I want to especially mention to you that the Transportation
Department recently headed by the departed Secretary, I think,
was very arrogant in the way they dealt with a very important
issue. And that is the issue of allowing long-haul Mexican
trucks into this country. They indicated it was necessary
because of NAFTA. That was not the case at all. It just wasn't
the case.
The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation
said that in Mexico there is no centralization of drivers'
records that someone could determine. There are no vehicle
inspection reports, no centralized records. There are no
accident reports, no centralized records.
There is no way that we are ready to have long haul Mexican
trucks moving across the byways of this country. This
Administration did a pilot project. This Congress, just over a
year ago, passed legislation prohibiting it. The Secretary of
Transportation indicated she didn't care very much what this
Congress thought. They were going to continue the pilot project
anyway.
Just to show you the absurdity of this. It is required that
a Mexican long-haul truck driver be fluent in English in order
to be able to drive on the roads of this country. And they
determine fluent in English as a situation where if you held up
a road sign such as a stop sign or a yield sign, if that driver
can answer what that sign is, in Spanish, they're declared to
be fluent in English. So much for careful concern about safety
on the American roadways.
I would fully expect within the first 2 months or so, Mr.
Congressman, that the new President and the new Secretary of
Transportation will revoke that pilot project. The Congress has
requested them to do so, passed legislation, and I fully expect
to see action from the new Secretary of Transportation that
complies with the law.
You and I have had a long conversation about that. I
recognize at least part of that decision will be made in the
White House. But I appreciate the fact that I think you were on
the side of those of us when you were in the House of
Representatives, on the side of those of us who attempted to
pass legislation to shut that pilot project down.
So I mention that because it has to do with the safety on
American roadways. It has to do with the misinterpretation of
NAFTA. And I think a pretty ham-handed approach by the
Treasury, by the Transportation Secretary, I should say, in the
way it was handled.
Finally let me just say I am very pleased by your
nomination. I told you that I have great respect for you. And
for those who are in the front row supporting you, including
Bob Michel.
I thank you for being willing to serve this new
Administration. And I think all of us on this committee are
excited about your stewardship. And I believe you will be
confirmed and I look forward to working with you very much.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Dorgan. Senator DeMint to
be followed by Senator Klobuchar.
STATEMENT OF HON. JIM DeMINT,
U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
Senator DeMint. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ray, again, thank
you for being willing to do this. I appreciate you coming by my
office and our conversation I think stimulated a lot of my
thinking and as we talked about the need for our Transportation
Department to have bigger vision, longer-term ideas than just
year-to-year projects.
As you and I know when the Department was formed it was
essentially to build an interstate highway system which is
pretty much complete at this point. There's still certainly a
role for Federal roads, but as you know the Department of
Transportation has got increasingly involved with state and
local roads and regulations and funding. And I'm afraid at the
expense of that bigger vision that it was started with.
You and I talked a little bit about the possibilities of
devolving some of the Federal role for highways and then
looking at a grander vision. Perhaps of a passenger rail system
that could take some of the pressure off of our aviation system
and our highways. And I would look forward to working with you
on those things.
Unfortunately because of our financial situation as a
country it's unrealistic to think we can continue to add
without looking at ways we might--can subtract. Certainly our
Nation can give no less attention to our roads and our
infrastructure. But there probably is a greater role the states
can play as we look at different ways to fund funding long term
as gasoline becomes less and less the source of energy for
transportation.
So I'd love to hear more of your thoughts about maybe a new
paradigm for the transportation system. Because we don't need
the Federal Government now to deal with secondary roads and
bridges. We certainly need to challenge the states to do a
better job with that.
But, and the other thing I'd just like you to be thinking
about, if I have a chance to ask a question, I will. As you
know there has been much disagreement about earmarks or
projects that we pick as Congressmen and Senators and send over
to the Transportation Department. And I heard a number of
Congressmen and Senators say we should not turn that over to
the unelected bureaucrats of which you're getting ready to
become one.
[Laughter.]
Senator DeMint. And from previous Secretaries and not just
the most recent, but I've heard of what kind of dysfunction it
creates when you have hundreds of folks on this side sending
multiple projects, thousands of projects to your side. And it
makes it increasingly difficult to implement a coherent Federal
plan. I'd love to hear your comments later on that because
President Obama has made it clear he would like to eliminate
all or part of the earmarks. And so that's something certainly
I'd like to hear your philosophy on.
So with that Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator DeMint. Senator Klobuchar?
STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and
again, congratulations on your new position. And I want to tell
you one of your first acts of leadership was to allow this room
to be used by the Fergus Falls, Minnesota marching band on
Monday.
[Laughter.]
Senator Klobuchar. And in perfect formation as your staff
will tell you, they filled up this entire room and did Yankee
Doodle Dandy.
[Laughter.]
Senator Klobuchar. And so I believe that's in honor of your
Chairmanship.
Thank you so much, Representative LaHood for being here. I
enjoyed our meeting. We care a lot about transportation in my
state.
I think you mentioned you were there for the Republican
Convention this summer. And saw firsthand some of the work
we're doing including that quick repair we did of the I-35W
bridge. Certainly that brought home to me the importance of
transportation funding when we have something like a quarter of
America's 600,000 bridges that have aged so much that their
physical condition or ability to withstand current traffic
levels is simply inadequate.
I said the day that the bridge fell down that a bridge just
shouldn't fall down in the middle of America, not a six-lane
highway, not a bridge that is just six blocks from my home
where 13 people died in this tragedy. I think we discussed the
fact that fixing these bridges and roads and other
infrastructure rail won't be easy. But I would say that will be
my leading concern as Senator Hutchison so eloquently discussed
at the beginning of her opening statement.
Second, the FAA expects the number of passengers who fly in
U.S. commercial carriers to exceed an astounding one billion
passengers by 2015, up from 740 million passengers in 2006. We
need to be prepared. I appreciate the Chairman's leadership on
this issue and the work that this committee has done.
Clearly modernizing our air traffic control system should
be a key priority. I'd say our new President is pretty good
with technology, still wanting to hold on to his BlackBerry,
and I'm very hopeful that he will see this as a priority as
well.
We also need to ensure that the FAA is employing a well
trained group of air traffic controllers. Today's air traffic
controllers, as you know, are retiring in record numbers. And
those who remain are overworked. In the coming years we need to
hire and retain a sufficient number of air traffic controllers,
and train them to do the important work that we demand of them.
Finally to look at our transportation options and the need
to have more mass transit clearly part of this will be
railroads. I missed Senator Lautenberg's opening, but I'm sure
he stressed the importance of Amtrak.
One other issue I wanted to mention is the captive shipper
issue. In my state, like Senator Thune's state and others, we
have a number of small businesses and large businesses that
rely on our railroads. Railroad competition has all but
disappeared.
There were 63 Class I railroads operating in the United
States three decades ago. Today only seven remain with four of
them controlling over 90 percent of the rail freight. That
would be fine if the rates were acceptable. What we see unfair
rates for captive shippers that are at the end of the line, the
way it's priced. And it's very difficult under the current
system for them to challenge these rates in any way. So that's
something that I'd like to pursue. Senator Dorgan and I and
others have a bill that we're pushing. There's also another
bill in the Judiciary committee. And I'll hope you'll look at
that.
In his 1963 memoir President Eisenhower said of the
interstate highway system, ``More than any single action by the
government since the end of the war, this one would change the
face of America. It's impact on the American economy, the jobs
it would produce in manufacturing and construction. The rural
areas it would open up was beyond calculation.''
He was right then. And I'm hopeful as we look at this
economic recovery package and the work that we need to do in
the Transportation bill that he will be right today. It's our
responsibility to work in a bipartisan manner on this issue.
Certainly your nomination as a Republican Congressman by this
President to this position is a symbol of that.
So thank you very much. And we look forward to working with
you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Klobuchar. I just wanted
to reiterate for a few of you who came in after I made my
opening remarks. We're going to have two new procedures in this
committee.
One is that at the beginning of any hearing, where there
are witnesses, I and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will have
opening statements. But I think it is not a good use of our
time to have every single member make an opening statement. Why
do I say that? Because I think it encourages people to suddenly
find other meetings they have to go to or people look at who's
going to be speaking ahead of them or get some idea of that and
they decide they just don't----
I want this to be a committee which is immediate, where
people feel that if they show up on time there's a reward for
that. That we hold conversation to substance, not that any
opening statements are lacking in substance, but that can all
come out during the point of questioning. And as you've heard
today a lot of opening statements have gotten to some of the
questions that, Congressman, you will be asked.
The other--so I hope that you will accept that. And the
second is that I think that what we need to do here is to have
an order of arrival in terms of speaking. I think it's fair.
Some committees use seniority. And I just don't think that
makes a whole lot of sense. I think when somebody gets here
before somebody else then that person ought to be able to ask a
question when it comes time for questioning before somebody
else. And so that will be the order of the day if that meets
with the approval of my distinguished Ranking Member.
Senator Hutchison. I do agree. And I do think people will
have a chance to question and we'll get to the questions,
Senator, not to mention the witnesses now and in the future
would have a chance to talk.
The Chairman. Alright. It's Congressman LaHood, isn't it?
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. We--yes.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. And what's the position again?
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. With great respect, sir, we welcome your
testimony.
STATEMENT OF HON. RAY LaHOOD, SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mr. LaHood. Well, Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. I know
that you're all very busy here today. There are a lot of things
going on.
I want to personally thank Senator Durbin, my senior
Senator, who I have great respect for and he's mentioned the
great working relationship that he and I have had in so many
different areas and also my mentor and former boss, Bob Michel
for the introductions. And Mr. Chairman all of the members have
a copy of my statement. And because of the busy schedule you
all have, if you want to just put my statement in the record.
I'd be happy to respond to your questions now so that everybody
that's here and has to go to another meeting would have a
chance to ask the questions that they would like.
The Chairman. No, no Congressman. You've got to encourage
good behavior here.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. So we need your opening statement.
Mr. LaHood. Chairman Rockefeller, Ranking Member Hutchison,
Members of the Committee, it's an honor for me to appear before
you as President Obama's candidate for the United States
Secretary of Transportation. Today I will tell you a little bit
about myself, communicate my vision for leading the Department
if I'm confirmed and most importantly hear about the issues you
feel are important. Before doing this however, I want to
emphasize two principles I will bring to everything I do at the
Department, if confirmed.
First is openness. That means an open door to you, to your
Senate colleagues, to my former colleagues in the House and to
all Americans who depend on and care about our transportation
system. This was a basic principle of President Obama's
campaign. And it will be a watchword for me at USDOT if
confirmed. No one person or agency has all the knowledge,
insight or perspective needed so I will hear what people have
to say before decisions are made.
The second principle I've lived by all of my public service
career is fairness. If I'm confirmed I will have the unusual
perspective of being a Republican in a Democratic
Administration. This gives me a real appreciation of the value
of listening to all sides when disputes arise and projects are
reviewed. I hope you take my selection as a signal of the
President's commitments to focusing on policy, rather than
partisanship.
There are no Republican or Democratic transportation
issues. There are national issues that affect us all. While my
primary mission, if confirmed, will be to bring President
Obama's priorities to the Department and see them effectively
implemented. I will do so with a commitment to fairness across
regional lines and across party lines. And I will do so in
consultation with Congress, Governors and local officials.
Now, a little about myself. For 14 years, I've had the
honor of representing my hometown of Peoria, Illinois, and the
20 counties of the 18th District of Illinois in the U.S. House
of Representatives. This District was previously represented by
among others, Abraham Lincoln, Everett Dirksen and Bob Michel.
I served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for
6 years and the Appropriations Committee for 8 years. I also
served in the Illinois House of Representatives.
In one form or another I have worked for government and
public service for 30 years. As I said before my primary goal,
if confirmed will be effective implementation of President
Obama's priorities. As I see it this means a strong focus in at
least four areas.
First, safety. On the roads, on the rails, in the air and
on the water. This has been and must continue to be the central
focus of USDOT.
This goal must guide everything done by both the leadership
of the Department and its workforce who will be our partners in
everything we do. I know the Committee established this goal
when it created the Department and is dedicated to the success
of the safety mission. If confirmed, you can rely on me for the
same dedication.
Second, is the economy. I do not need to tell anyone here
about the severe economic challenges we face. 2.6 million jobs
lost in 2008 and unfortunately more to come in 2009.
The President and his economic team have spoken about the
need for quick action and the economic recovery plan responds
directly to that need. Transportation is a big part of that
plan. And one of my first tasks, if confirmed, will be to
manage the open and effective use of those funds.
But job creation cannot be the only goal for these
investments. As we attend to our immediate challenges we must
keep watch on longer-term results. The most compelling reason
for infrastructure investment is the lasting economic and
social benefit it brings over decades and even generations.
Much of our economic strength is built on the wise
infrastructure investments made by our predecessors. And so at
a minimum we cannot let the assets we inherit fall apart. I am
committed to investments that will help bring the country's
transportation assets up to a state of excellent repair.
Even as we repair what we have we also must shape the
economy of the coming decades by building new infrastructure.
We need to leave something of value to those who come after us.
This work must be done with an eye toward our competitive
position in the world by investing in things like better
freight movement.
But it must also recognize the third major policy focus,
our transportation system and the development it enables must
be sustainable. We must acknowledge the new reality of climate
change. This has implications in all areas, the inner city,
rail and mass transit funding in the economic recovery plan are
a part of the equation, but only a part. Sustainability must
permeate all we do from highways and transit to aviation and
ports. President Obama is committed to this principle and so am
I.
Fourth is a strong focus on people and communities where
they live and work. This can take many forms. In aviation it
means a commitment to the passengers. An aviation system
focused on safety, convenience and confidence of the traveling
public is a successful one.
For surface transportation it implies a commitment to the
principles that some refer to as livability. That is investing
in ways that respect the unique character of each community.
The era of one-size-fits-all projects must give way to one
where preserving unique community characteristics, be they
rural or urban, is a primary goal rather than an afterthought.
And I intend to make livable communities a big part of what
we're going to do, hopefully under reauthorization and in some
other areas.
These four areas: safety, the economy, sustainability and
livability will be major priorities for me if I'm confirmed.
But whatever our goals may be we will not achieve them unless
policy and investments are driven by outcomes. A key challenge
for those who craft the Nation's transportation programs, that
is, all of us here today, will be to link decision-making to
performance at all levels.
This will require a new commitment to measure performance,
as was called for in the recent report of the National Surface
Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission and to adjust our
course where progress is too slow. Performance measurement is
key to assuring that new money is invested wisely and the
public has enough confidence in our work to support continued
investment.
To conclude, Mr. Chairman, thank you again. I want to work
with this committee going forward. And I will respond to your
questions. Thank you, sir.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
LaHood follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Ray LaHood, Secretary-Designate,
U.S. Department of Transportation
Chairman Rockefeller, Ranking Member Hutchison, Members of the
Committee, it is an honor for me to appear before you today as
President Obama's designee for U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Today
I hope I can tell you a little about myself, communicate to you my
vision for leading the Department, if I am confirmed, and hear about
the issues you see facing America's transportation system.
Before getting to these specifics, however, I would like to
emphasize two overarching principles I will bring to everything I do at
the Department if I am confirmed.
The first is openness. That means an open door to you and your
Senate colleagues, to my former colleagues in the House, and to all
Americans who depend on and care about our transportation system. This
was a basic principle of President Obama's campaign, and it will be a
watchword for me at USDOT, if I have the honor to lead the Department.
I know that no one person or agency can have all the knowledge, insight
or perspective needed, and so I will want to hear what people have to
say before policy is set or decisions are made.
The second is a principle I have tried to live by all through my
career--fairness. If I am confirmed, I will have the somewhat unusual
perspective of being a Republican in a Democratic administration. This
will give me a heightened appreciation of the need to listen to all
sides when disputes arise and projects are reviewed. I hope you will
take my selection as a signal of the President's commitment to focusing
his energies on policy rather than partisanship. I think we all
recognize that there are no Republican or Democratic transportation
issues; these are national issues that affect us all.
While my primary mission if I am confirmed will be to bring
President Obama's priorities to the Department and see them effectively
implemented, I will do so always with a commitment to fairness, across
regional lines, across party lines, and between people who come to the
issues with different perspectives.
Now a little about myself. For the last 14 years I have had the
honor of representing my home town of Peoria and the 20 counties of the
18th District of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives--a
community previously represented by, among others, Abraham Lincoln and
Everett Dirksen. I served on the Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee for 6 years and on the Appropriations Committee after that.
Before being elected to Congress, I worked for the previous
representative for the 18th District, Republican Leader Bob Michel, who
I'm sure many of you know. I also served in the Illinois House of
Representatives. In one form or another I have worked in government for
more than 30 years.
As I said before, my primary goal at the Department, if confirmed,
will be effective implementation of President Obama's national
priorities for transportation. In doing this I will work closely with
Congress and the Nation's Governors and local elected officials. As I
see it, this will require a strong focus in at least four areas.
First is the economy. I do not need to tell anyone here about the
severe economic challenges we face--more than a million jobs lost in
2008 and unfortunately more to come in 2009. The President and the
members of his economic team have spoken extensively about the need for
quick action, and the economic recovery and renewal plan currently
under discussion responds directly to this need. Transportation
infrastructure is a substantial part of that plan, and one of my first
and most important tasks, if confirmed, will be to manage the effective
use of those funds.
But job creation cannot be the only goal for these investments. As
we attend to our immediate challenges, we must keep watch on longer
term results. The most compelling reason for infrastructure investment
is the lasting economic and social benefit it brings over decades and
even generations. Indeed, much of our economic success in recent
decades has been built on the wise infrastructure investments made by
our predecessors. And so at a minimum, we cannot let the assets we
inherited fall apart. Accordingly, I am committed to supporting
investments that will help bring the country's transportation assets up
to a state of good repair.
Even as we repair what we have, we must begin shaping the economy
of the coming decades by building new infrastructure. We need to leave
something of value to those who come after us. This work must be done
with an eye toward our competitive position in the world, by investing
in things like better freight movement.
But it must also recognize a second major policy focus: our
transportation system and the development it enables must be
sustainable. We must acknowledge the new reality of climate change.
This has implications for all areas; investments in intercity rail and
mass transit, as called for in the economic recovery and reinvestment
plan, are part of the equation, but only part. Sustainability must be a
principle reflected in all our infrastructure investments, from
highways and transit to aviation and ports. President Obama is
committed to this principle and so am I.
Third is a strong focus on people and the communities where they
live and work. This can take many forms. In aviation, it means a
commitment to the end user of our aviation system: the passenger. An
aviation system that focuses on the safety, convenience and confidence
of the traveling public will be a successful system.
In our surface transportation programs, it implies a commitment to
the principles that some refer to as livability; that is, investing in
a way that recognizes the unique character of each community. The era
of one-size-fits-all transportation projects must give way to one where
preserving and enhancing unique community characteristics, be they
rural or urban, is a primary mission of our work rather than an
afterthought.
And finally, I am mindful that safety--on the road, on the rails,
in the air, and on the water--has always been and must continue to be
the central focus of the Department of Transportation. This goal must
guide everything done by both the leadership of the Department and its
work force, who will be our partners in everything we do. I know the
Committee established this goal when it worked to create the Department
and has been dedicated to the success of the safety mission throughout
its history. If confirmed, you can rely on me for the same dedication.
These four areas--economic health, sustainability, a focus on
people and communities, and safety--will be major priorities for me if
I am confirmed because I believe a transportation system that meets
these goals is vital to our long term national interest. The tools the
Congress has given to the Department vary--from grants, to regulation,
to research and technology, to informing the public on issues. In every
case, I will seek to use those tools to pursue these goals.
But whatever our goals may be, we will not achieve them unless our
policy and investment decisions are driven by outcomes. A key challenge
for those who craft and manage the Nation's transportation programs--
that is, all of us here today--will be to link decision-making to
performance at all levels. This will require a new commitment to
measuring performance in real time, as was called for in the recent
report of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue
Commission, and to adjusting our course where progress is not rapid
enough. The practice of performance measurement will be key to assuring
both that new money is invested wisely and that the public has the
confidence to continue supporting continued investments.
To conclude Mr. Chairman, thank you again for scheduling this
hearing. I would like to reiterate my desire to work with this
committee as policy and funding matters are debated, and I will be
happy to respond to any questions you and the Members of the Committee
may have.
______
A. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Raymond ``Ray'' LaHood.
2. Position to which nominated: Secretary of Transportation.
3. Date of Nomination: January 20, 2009.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
5. Date and Place of Birth: December 6, 1945; Peoria, Illinois.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Wife: Kathy LaHood, Director of Finance, Goodwill Industries;
and Consultant, Council of American Overseas Research Centers.
Children: Darin LaHood, 40; Amy LaHood, 38; Sam LaHood, 34;
Sara LaHood, 31.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Canton Junior College, 1963-65 (Spoon River College).
Bachelor of Science in Education, 1971, Bradley University.
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
St. Joseph School, Teacher.
Holy Family School, Teacher.
Oak Grove West School, Social Studies Teacher.
Rock Island Youth Services Bureau, Executive Director, 1972-74.
Bi-State Metropolitan Commission, Chief Planner, 1974-77.
Congressman Tom Railsback, District Administrative Assistant,
1977-1982.
Illinois House of Representatives, State Representative, 1982.
Congressman Robert Michel, Chief of Staff and District
Administrative Assistant, 1983-1994.
Member of Congress, 18th District of Illinois, 1995-2008.
9. Attach a copy of your resume. See Attachment A.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years.
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Co-Chair, 2000-1/3/
2009.
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last 5 years.
Board of Trustees, Bradley University, 1999-2006.
Board of Trustees, Gallaudet University, 1997-1/3/2009.
Co-Chair, International Maronite Foundation.
Trustee, Arab American Fellowship, 2008-present.
Honorary Chairman, Arab American National Museum, 2005-present.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and an positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.
Creve Coeur Club, Peoria, Illinois, 1998-present.
Rotary International, Peoria, Illinois, 1985-present.
Knights of Columbus, Peoria, Illinois, 1985-present.
Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C., 1990-present.
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria,
Illinois, 2004-present.
Chicago Executive Forum, Chicago, Illinois, 2003-2006.
None of these restrict membership.
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has an outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt: Yes. There are no outstanding campaign
debts.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years. Also list all offices you
have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national political
party or election committee during the same period.
See Attachment B.
15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Honorary Doctorate in Political Science, 2000, Lincoln College.
Honorary Doctorate in Public Service, 2002, Eureka College.
Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters, 2004, Tri-State
University.
Honorary Doctorate in Public Service, 2006, MacMurray College.
Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters, 2008, Milliken
University.
Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Frank Bellrose Illinois River Valley Conservation Award, 2001,
Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
Charles B. Shuman Distinguished Service Award, 2005, Illinois
Farm Bureau.
Ray A. Neumann Tri-County Citizen of the Year, 2001, Downtown
Kiwanis Club of Peoria.
Spirit of Enterprise Award, the Chamber of Commerce.
Friend of Agriculture, the Farm Bureau.
Guardian of Small Business award, National Federation of
Independent Business.
Guardian of Medicare Award, United Seniors Association.
Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award, National
Association of Manufacturers.
16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others. Also list any speeches that you
have given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.
This list includes speeches, columns and articles on topics
relevant to the position.
``40th Anniversary of the Interstate Highway System,'' Speech
to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, June 29, 1996.
``Congress Scrutinizing Airline Safety,'' Daily Times, July 26,
1996.
``Article on Regional Airport,'' Illinois Business Journal, May
2001.
``A Sixth Central Illinois Airport Would Waste Tax Dollars,''
The Pantagraph and Peoria Journal Star, May 13, 2001.
``Next Congress to Tackle Transportation,'' InterBusiness
Issues, December 2002 ``Capitol View,'' The Pantagraph,
February 2003.
``Route 336 A Priority,'' 336 Coalition Newsletter, Fall 2003.
``New Session Brings Both New and Old Issues,'' InterBusiness
Issues, January 2005.
``Transportation Bill Vital to Illinois Economy,''
InterBusiness Issues, April 2005.
``Route 29 Expansion Will Create Jobs and Stimulate Economy,''
Peoria Journal Star.
``River Issues are Critical to Upper Midwest,'' InterBusiness
Issues, July 2005.
``River Issues are Critical to Mississippi River Valley's
Future,'' UMIMRA, Summer 2005.
``Senate Must Act on Vital Water Resources Bill,''
InterBusiness Issues, March 2006.
17. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
This list includes testimony on topics relevant to the position.
Remarks to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation
Subcommittee, February 14 and 15, 1995.
Statement before the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Aviation Subcommittee during Hearings on the Airport
Improvement Program, March 13, 1996.
Statement on Introduction of a Bill to Eliminate the FAA's
Liaison and Familiarization Training Program, September 9,
1998.
Statement before the House, ``Department of Transportation and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act,'' July 29, 1998.
Statement before the House, ``Department of Transportation and
Related Agencies Act,'' July 24, 1995.
Statement before the House, ``Air Service Negotiations Between
United States and Japan,'' September 17, 1997.
Statement before the House, ``Building Efficient Surface
Transportation and Equity Act of 1998,'' April 1, 1998.
Statement before the House, ``Transportation Equity Act: A
Legacy For Users,'' April 1, 2004.
Statement before the House, ``Transportation, Treasury, and
Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004,'' September 4,
2003.
Served as Speaker pro tempore of the House, ``Department of
Transportation and Related Agencies Act, 1997,'' June 26, 1996.
Served as Speaker pro tempore of the House, ``Aviation Security
Act,'' November 6, 2001.
Served as Speaker pro tempore of the House, ``Small Airport
Safety, Security, and Air Service Improvement Act of 2002,''
June 20, 2002.
Served as Speaker pro tempore of the House, ``Small Airport
Safety, Security, and Air Service Improvement Act of 2002,''
June 20, 2002.
Served as Speaker pro tempore of the House, ``Providing for
Further Consideration of H.R. 3550, Transportation Equity Act:
A Legacy for Users,'' April 1, 2004.
18. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
I have been involved in the legislative process throughout much of
my life, first as a staff member and then for many years as an elected
official. I have seen how government programs can meet national
objectives and improve the economy an quality of life at both the
national and the local level. At the same time, I have learned through
my interactions with constituents how these programs can fall short of
their objectives when they become overly bureaucratic, or lose sight of
the stakeholders that they are intended to serve. I also know from
experience that Federal programs must collaborate with and support
state and local agencies in order to be effective.
During my time on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
and then on the Appropriations Committee, I gained a thorough
understanding of the Department of Transportation's programs and
agencies. I also have served both on the Intelligence Committee and on
the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, where I became
familiar with potential terrorist threats facing the transportation
system, and the countermeasures needed to ensure efficient
transportation while enhancing security.
I look forward to the challenge of leading the Department of
Transportation at a time when it will play a fundamental role in
supporting national objectives. Building and improving our Nation's
transportation infrastructure has always been among my highest
priorities, and over the next few years, the Department will be
challenged to meet this objective to an unprecedented degree.
19.What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper, management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
Management and accounting controls are critical to the success of
any large organization, public or private, and I am committed to using
my leadership in the Department of Transportation to assure that such
controls are in place. It is my understanding that the Department, over
the past decade or more, has been a leader in the use of performance
management to set strategic objectives and measure progress toward
meeting objectives. The Department's financial systems also enable it
to obtain a clean and timely audit opinion on its annual financial
statements. I expect to continue and expand these activities with the
strong support of the Department's Inspector General, its Chief
Financial Office and all of the members of the Agency's leadership
team. These officials will clearly understand my high expectations for
management performance, and will receive my full support for continued
progress of the Department of Transportation as a recognized model for
governmental management.
While my personal experience does not include direct
responsibilities for management in large organizations, my service in
the Congress, particularly on the House Appropriations Committee, has
given me the perspective to understand the importance of sound
management and accountability in the use of public funds. I want the
Department of Transportation to be seen as an agency that effectively
serves the will of the public, and does so in a way that ensures
transparency to those citizens who wish to understand its internal
workings.
20. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
I believe that the major challenges facing the Department of
Transportation relate to its support of key national objectives. As I
think about the department's future, I want its programs and activities
to contribute to solutions in areas critical to the Nation's future.
In the area of the economy, efficient and safe infrastructure is a
fundamental requirement for recovery and growth. As a nation, we need
to invest in our highways, bridges, ports, air and rail systems to
strengthen user safety, bolster our long-term competitiveness and
ensure that our economy achieves its growth potential. Through the
Department of Transportation's programs, sound and well managed
investments will move us in the right direction. An aviation system
that works effectively is critical to the safe movement of people and
goods in the conduct of our economic affairs. I believe we must support
that system through the modernization of air traffic control and by
working cooperatively with front line air traffic controllers and
maintainers to restore morale and improve working conditions within the
Federal Aviation Administration. We need also to get on with the
development of a rail system that supports a growing economy with high-
speed passenger rail and a strengthened domestic freight rail system.
Leadership in the Department of Transportation is needed to set the
objectives in these are gain support for the resources needed and
provide benchmarks to gauge progress.
In the area of energy, the transportation system must play a
central role in conservation and sound development of energy resources.
Department of Transportation programs play a major role here as well.
The fuel economy of nation's automobile fleet must continue to improve,
and I look forward to working within the Administration and with the
auto industry to achieve this goal. Beyond this, it is time to move to
a new generation of vehicles with dramatic improvement in energy use.
Investing in advanced vehicle technology and development of supportive
policies for such vehicles, including their safety and the support
infrastructure will be an important contribution to the national goals.
So will the Department's support of efficient transportation modes--
effective public transportation in our cities and an intercity
passenger rail system that revitalizes Amtrak as the foundation for
high-speed rail connections among our regions. Making these initiatives
happen is a key challenge, involving both resources and hands-on
management and the revitalization of the Department's research and
development skills.
Environment is another area where the Department contributes to
national goals and where I see a key set of challenges. Making global
warming a top priority as well as dealing with other environmental
concerns will require a new level of attention for our transportation
systems as well as a new mindset for the Department's leadership.
Increased energy efficiency in our vehicles and our passenger and
freight transportation systems will significantly alleviate the problem
of greenhouse gases. But for the long term, we also need to encourage
more livable and sustainable communities, using the resources of
Departmental programs to new ends. For too long, our patterns of urban
development have been organized around the principle of cheap gasoline.
As we invest wisely in the repair and development of our
infrastructure, we must devote significantly more attention t
investments that will make it easier for us to walk, bicycle and access
other transportation alternatives. Among the key challenges here is the
development of close working relationships with other Cabinet agencies
whose goals and programs overlap with those of the Department of
Transportation.
B. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts: None.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain: No.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
designated agency ethics official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered
into with the Department's designated agency ethics official.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 10 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity during the past 10 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy.
I have been a Member of Congress and have worked on many
legislative initiatives over the course of my fourteen year tenure,
including introduction, sponsorship and passage of numerous bills.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
designated agency ethic official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered
into with the Department's designated agency ethics official.
C. LEGAL MATTERS
I. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If so, please explain: No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain: No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain: No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain: No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain: No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
D. RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMITTEE
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______
Attachment A
Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Peoria)
Eighteenth District of Illinois
Congressman Ray LaHood is serving his seventh and final term
representing the 18th District of Illinois. First elected in 1994, Ray
was re-elected to Congress on November 7, 2006, with over 67 percent of
the vote.
Ray is a former schoolteacher, a long-time community leader, and
has extensive legislative experience, all of which combine to give him
a unique perspective on his job as a Congressman.
The district Ray represents includes the hometowns of several
significant American leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln, Everett Dirksen,
and Bob Michel. In fact, the 20 counties of the 18th District contain
the same 11 counties Lincoln represented as a Congressman.
Ray serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the panel that
oversees Federal discretionary spending.
Appropriations Committee Subcommittee Assignments:
Select Intelligence Oversight Panel, Ranking Member.
Subcommittee on Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch.
Since his first election, agriculture has been one of Ray's top
priorities. With some of the finest farmland in the world, the 18th
Congressional District has a tremendous farming heritage. Ray has been
a leader in the promotion of ethanol and has supported policies which
are allowing unprecedented expansion of ethanol production in Illinois.
The Illinois Farm Bureau recognized Ray's leadership on agriculture
issues y awarding him their highest honor in 2005, the Charles B.
Shuman Distinguished Service Award.
Ray has taken great pride in the 18th District's ties to Abraham
Lincoln, and he has been an advocate for advancing the legacy of the
16th President. Ray authored the law establishing the Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission to lay the groundwork for celebrating Lincoln's
200th birthday in 2009. He has also led efforts to establish the
highly-successful Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in
Springfield.
Ray is viewed as a leading proponent for preserving the Illinois
River. He led efforts to secure Illinois' inclusion in the Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program, a unique and highly successful
environmental program for the Illinois River, which has allowed over
100,000 acres to be put into conservation easements. He has supported
efforts to enhance the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge in Mason
County, expand the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge in Fulton County,
and create the Hennepin-Hopper Lakes backwater restoration project. In
recognition of his efforts for the river, Ray was awarded the Frank
Bellrose Illinois River Valley Conservation Award in 2001 from the
Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
Ray has led efforts to enhance Illinois' infrastructure. He has
worked to secure funds to improve local highways, such as the
reconstruction of Interstate 74 in Peoria, the expansion of U.S. Route
67, and completion of Route 336. Ray has been a proponent for improving
local airports through securing new construction and expansion, while
also working with officials to increase air service.
Over the years, Ray has been lauded by many for his leadership on
the local, state, and national levels. He is widely viewed as someone
who has a deep respect for the institution of Congress and who works
across party lines to achieve policy goals.
He has led efforts to establish a higher level of civility,
decorum, and bipartisanship in the House of Representatives.
His knowledge of Congress and his fair-handed demeanor have enabled
him to be called upon many times to chair the House of Representatives
during proceedings on contentious issues including the impeachment
debate in 1998.
Locally, Ray has led efforts to work with officials in a
collaborative manner to address various issues facing the communities
of the 18th District. He regularly convenes bipartisan meetings with
the area's state representatives and senators and often meets with
local mayors and other elected officials. Ray's greatest collaborative
achievements include the establishment of a Federal health clinic in
Peoria, the creation of the Peoria/NEXT business incubator, and moving
forward with the-construction of the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Among Ray's highest priorities is helping focal communities with
various efforts to attract industry and increase employment
opportunities. Ray has particularly emphasized rural development
through assisting economic efforts and infrastructure improvements in
the many rural communities he represents.
Ray LaHood was born December 6, 1945, and is a native of Peoria. He
is the grandson of an immigrant from Lebanon and the son of a
restaurant manager. Ray worked his way through school attending
Spalding Institute high school, Canton Junior College, and Bradley
University. He earned a B.S. degree in Education and Sociology from
Bradley in 1971. In 2000, Ray received an honorary doctorate in
Political Science from Lincoln College. In 2002, Ray received an
honorary doctorate in Public Service from Eureka College. In 2004, Ray
received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Tri-State
University; and in 2006 Ray received an honorary doctorate in Public
Service from MacMurray College.
A teacher by training, Ray started his career teaching junior high
school students in Catholic and public schools. He then moved to Rock
Island where he served as the Chief Planner for the Bi-State
Metropolitan Commission, Director of the Rock Island Youth Services
Bureau, and as District Administrative Assistant for Congressman Tom
Railsback.
After serving in the Illinois State House of Representatives in
1982, Ray worked for U.S. House Republican Leader Robert Michel as
District Administrative Assistant and, for 4 years, as Chief of Staff.
He succeeded Mr. Michel upon his retirement in January 1995.
Ray was named the 2001 Ray A. Neumann Tri-County Citizen of the
Year by the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Peoria. In 1999, Ray received
Peoria Notre Dame High School's Distinguished Alumnus award.
Other awards Ray has received include: the Ellis Island Medal of
Honor; the Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise award; the Farm
Bureau's Friend of Agriculture award; the Guardian of Small Business
ward from the National Federal of Independent Business; the Guardian of
Medicare Award from the United Seniors Association; the Tax Fighter
Award from the National Tax-Limitation Committee; and the Manufacturing
Legislative Excellence Award from the National Association of
Manufacturers.
Ray is married to Kathy and they have four children: Darin (wife:
Kristen), Amy (husband: Kevin) Sam, and Sara (husband: Brian). They
also have seven grandchildren (Ella, McKay, Henry, Luke, Oliver,
Theodore, Brogan). Ray and Kathy are Roman Catholic and are members of
Peoria's Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.
______
ATTACHMENT B
Friends of Ray LaHood, 2000
Contributions to individuals, campaign organizations, political parties,
political action committees, or similar entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Date Name (in $) Period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10-May-97 Baker For Congress 500
11-Aug-97 Baker For Congress 237.79
16-Oct-98 Baker For Congress 254.38
22-Feb-00 Baker For Congress 1,000 Primary
01-Jun-00 Baker For Congress 1,000 General
17-Oct-00 Ewing for Congress 500 General
17-Oct-00 Ferguson for Congress 500 General
16-Oct-00 Fletcher for Congress 1,000 General
16-Oct-00 Friends of Clay Shaw 1,000 General
20-Sep-06 Friends of Clay Shaw 1,000 General
16-Oct-00 Friends of Nethercutt 1,000 General
16-Sep-98 Friends Of John Hostetler 500
16-Oct-00 Friends Of John Hostetler 1,000 General
20-Sep-06 Friends Of John Hostetler 1,000 General
17-Oct-00 Friends of Phill 500 General
16-Oct-00 Friends of Don Sherwood 1,000 General
12-Jun-00 Friends of Tim Johnson 1,000 General
03-Apr-00 George W. Bush for President 1,000 General
17-Oct-00 Graves for Congress 500 General
16-Oct-00 Hayes for Congress 1,000 General
31-Oct-07 Hayes for Congress 1,000 Primary 2008
20-Jun-00 Illinois Republican Party 500 General
24-Oct-02 Illinois Republican Party 15,500 General
12-May-04 Illinois Republican Party 100 General
20-Feb-08 Illinois Republican Party 2,000 General 2008
08-May-08 Illinois Republican Party 75 General 2008
17-Apr-08 Illinois Republican Party 50 General 2008
27-Jun-08 Illinois Republican Party 600 General 2008
24-Oct-00 Jay Dickey for Congress 1,000 General
17-Oct-00 John Koster for Congress 500 General
17-Oct-00 Johnson for Congress 2000 500 General
17-Oct-00 Keller for Congress 500 General
17-Oct-00 Kline for Congress 500 General
16-Oct-00 Kuykendall Cong. Committee 1,000 General
05-Jun-00 Lazio 2000 1,000 General
12-Jun-00 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General
02-Nov-06 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General 2006
16-Sep-04 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General
20-Sep-06 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General
30-Aug-07 Mark Kirk for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General 2008
17-Oct-00 McDonald for Congress 500 General
27-Mar-00 National Republican Club of 74.88 Primary
Capitol Hill
30-Mar-00 National Republican Club of 1,571.82 Primary
Capitol Hill
01-Jun-00 National Republican Club of 458.49 General
Capitol Hill
26-Nov-01 National Republican Club of 941.82 Primary
Capitol Hill
02-May-02 National Republican Club of 1,425.60 General
Capitol Hill
16-Oct-00 Northup for Congress 1,000 General
27-Mar-02 Northup for Congress 1,000 General
17-Oct-00 Pence for Congress 500 General
13-Feb-97 Peoria County Republican 320
Central Comm
18-Feb-97 Peoria County Republican 80
Central Comm
23-Jun-97 Peoria County Republican 120
Central Comm
04-Sep-97 Peoria County Republican 240
Central Comm
23-Feb-98 Peoria County Republican 100
Central Comm
20-Oct-98 Peoria County Republican 600.15
Central Comm
05-Nov-98 Peoria County Republican 208.64
Central Comm
24-Nov-98 Peoria County Republican 240
Central Comm
04-Feb-99 Peoria County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
08-Feb-99 Peoria County Republican 320 Primary
Central Comm
27-Jul-99 Peoria County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
27-Jan-00 Peoria County Republican 650 Primary
Central Comm
07-Feb-00 Peoria County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
31-Jul-00 Peoria County Republican 300 General
Central Comm
18-Oct-00 Peoria County Republican 500 General
Central Comm
08-Feb-01 Peoria County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
09-Feb-01 Peoria County Republican 400 Primary
Central Comm
21-Feb-01 Peoria County Republican 400 Primary
Central Comm
07-Aug-01 Peoria County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
10-Feb-02 Peoria County Republican 400 Primary
Central Comm
23-Jul-02 Peoria County Republican 100 General
Central Comm
20-Feb-03 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary
Central Comm
24-Feb-04 Peoria County Republican 400 Primary
Central Comm
26-Feb-04 Peoria County Republican 600 Primary
Central Comm
07-Apr-04 Peoria County Republican 3,500 General
Central Comm
16-Sep-04 Peoria County Republican 250 General
Central Comm
24-Feb-05 Peoria County Republican 400 Primary 2006
Central Comm
01-Mar-06 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary 2006
Central Comm
01-Jul-06 Peoria County Republican 800 General
Central Comm
25-Jul-06 Peoria County Republican 141 General
Central Comm
14-Feb-07 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary 2008
Central Comm
20-Sep-07 Peoria County Republican 3,500 Primary 2008
Central Comm
29-Nov-07 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary 2008
Central Comm
17-Oct-00 Rehberg for Congress 500 General
16-Oct-00 Re-elect Brian Bilbray to 1,000 General
Congress
16-Oct-00 Rogan Campaign Committee 1,000 General
20-Oct-00 Sessions for Congress 1,000 General
12-Mar-04 Sessions for Congress 1,000 Primary
17-Oct-00 Shelly Moore Capito for 500 General
Congress
17-Oct-00 Smith for Congress 500 General
24-Oct-00 Tiberi for Congress 500 General
16-Oct-00 Tom Tancredo for Congress 1,000 General
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of Ray LaHood, 2002
Contributions to individuals, campaign organizations, political parties,
political action committees, or similar entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Date Name (in $) Period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
07-Aug-02 Activator Federal Fund 1,679.95 General
02-Oct-02 Activator Federal Fund 2,129.73 General
30-Oct-02 Bob Ehrlich for Maryland 1,000 General
25-Jul-01 Buyer for Congress 1,000 Primary
02-Nov-01 Chambliss for Senate 1,000 Primary
09-May-02 Citizens for Jim Ryan 1,000 General
29-Jul-02 Citizens for Jim Ryan 1,000 General
21-Mar-02 Citizens for Jon Porter 1,000 General
23-Oct-02 Citizens for Justice Garman 1,000 General
23-Oct-02 Committee to Elect Jon 1,000 General
Turner
24-Oct-02 Illinois Republican Party 15,500 General
21-Feb-02 Latham for Congress 1,000 Primary
25-Feb-02 Lindsay Graham for Senate 1,000 Primary
19-Dec-00 Bill McCollom 1,000 Primary
26-Nov-01 National Republican Club of 941.82 Primary
Capitol Hill
02-May-02 National Republican Club of 1,425.60 General
Capitol Hill
04-Oct-02 National Republican 78,000 General
Congressional Comm
07-Nov-02 National Republican 709.68 Primary
Congressional Comm
16-Oct-00 Northup for Congress 1,000 General
27-Mar-02 Northup for Congress 1,000 General
29-Jan-01 Sangamon County Republican 500 Primary
Central Comm
21-Jun-01 Sangamon County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
11-Feb-02 Sangamon County Republican 700 Primary
Central Comm
11-Dec-01 Sununu for Senate 1,000 Primary
01-Nov-02 Taff for Congress 1,000 General
20-Dec-01 Volunteers for Shimkus 1,000 Primary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of Ray LaHood, 2004
Contributions to individuals, campaign organizations, political parties,
political action committees, or similar entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Date Name (in $) Period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
05-May-04 Andrea Lane Zinga for 250 General
Congress
30-Jul-04 Andrea Lane Zinga for 750 General
Congress
20-Nov-03 Bill Shuster for Congress 1,000 Primary
25-Jun-03 Bush Cheney '04, Inc. 1,000 Primary
28-Apr-03 CNA Citizens for Good 1,000 Primary
Government
14-Oct-04 Citizens for Judge Holdridge 1,000 General
02-Sep-04 Citizens for Karmeier 500 General
11-Dec-03 Citizens for Schock 1,000 Primary
20-Sep-04 Citizens for Schock 5,000 General
18-Nov-04 Citizens for Schock 500 Primary
17-Jun-04 Crane for Congress 1,000 General
10-May-04 Cubin for Congress 1,000 General
12-Mar-04 David Vitter for U.S. Senate 1,000 Primary
11-Mar-04 Diedrich for Congress 1,000 Primary
11-Feb-03 Friends of Gwen Klingler 500 Primary
17-Jun-04 Friends of Jack Quinn 1,000 General
20-Mar-03 Friends of John Boehner 1,000 Primary
11-Mar-04 Friends of Mike Ferguson 1,000 Primary
20-Oct-04 Friends of Paul Palazzolo 500 General
25-Jun-03 Friends of Tim Johnson 1,000 Primary
10-May-04 Friends of Tim Johnson 1,000 General
01-Oct-03 George Nethercutt for U.S. 2,000 Primary
Senate
16-Sep-04 George Nethercutt for U.S. 1,000 General
Senate
23-Sep-04 Georgians for Isakson 1,000 General
02-Jul-04 Greg Dority for Congress 1,000 General
16-Sep-04 Hastert for Congress 1,000 General
16-Sep-04 Hyde for Congress 1,000 General
11-Feb-03 Illinois Corn Growers Assn. 2,000 Primary
PAC
23-Sep-04 Jerry Weller for Congress 1,000 General
11-Feb-04 Jim Hansen for Governor 1,000 Primary
16-Sep-04 Judy Biggert for Congress 1,000 General
11-Feb-04 Kerr for Congress 1,000 Primary
08-Apr-03 Knox County Republican Party 500 Primary
17-Apr-03 Macon County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
22-Jul-04 Macon County Republican 2,000 General
Central Comm
16-Sep-04 Manzullo for Congress 1,000 General
20-Sep-06 Manzullo for Congress 1,000 General
12-Jun-00 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General
16-Sep-04 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General
08-Jan-04 Mitch Daniels for Governor 1,000 Primary
Campaign Comm
24-Feb-03 Musgrave for Congress 1,000 Primary
Committee
01-Jul-03 Musgrave for Congress 1,000 Primary
Committee
12-Nov-02 National Assn. of Postal 1,000 Primary
Unions PAC
07-Nov-02 National Republican 709.68 Primary
Congressional Comm
22-May-03 National Republican 3,389.50 Primary
Congressional Comm
26-Nov-03 National Republican 1,252.56 Primary
Congressional Comm
12-Aug-04 National Republican 83,500 General
Congressional Comm
30-Aug-06 National Republican 100,000 General
Congressional Comm
23-Sep-04 Nussle for Congress 1,000 General
20-Feb-03 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary
Central Comm
24-Feb-04 Peoria County Republican 400 Primary
Central Comm
26-Feb-04 Peoria County Republican 600 Primary
Central Comm
07-Apr-04 Peoria County Republican 3,500 General
Central Comm
16-Sep-04 Peoria County Republican 250 General
Central Comm
15-Mar-04 Petroleum Marketers PAC 1,000 Primary
23-Jan-03 Sangamon County Republican 500 Primary
Central Comm
30-Jan-03 Sangamon County Republican 100 Primary
Central Comm
02-Feb-04 Sangamon County Republican 600 Primary
Central Comm
12-Mar-04 Sessions for Congress 1,000 Primary
15-Oct-03 The Richard Burr Committee 2,000 Primary
16-Sep-04 The Richard Burr Committee 1,000 General
01-Sep-04 Tom Ernst for Senate 1,000 General
16-Sep-04 Volunteers for Shimkus 1,000 General
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of Ray LaHood, 2006
Contributions to individuals, campaign organizations, political parties,
political action committees, or similar entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Date Name (in $) Period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
21-Sep-06 Bass Victory Committee 1,000 General 2006
19-Jan-06 Brian Bilbray for Congress 2,000 Primary 2006
30-Oct-06 Brian Bilbray for Congress 1,000 General 2006
21-Sep-06 Cathy McMorris For Congress 1,000 General 2006
21-Sep-06 Chocola For Congress 1,000 General 2006
22-Mar-06 Cubin for Congress 1,000 General 2006
30-Oct-06 Cubin for Congress 1,000 General 2006
14-Sep-05 David McSweeney for Congress 2,000 Primary 2006
03-Apr-06 David McSweeney for Congress 2,000 General
22-Mar-06 Friends of Ernest Istook 500 General 2006
22-Mar-06 J.D. Hayworth for Congress 1,000 General 2006
02-Nov-06 J.D. Hayworth for Congress 1,000 General 2006
08-Feb-06 Jim Gerlach for Congress 1,000 Primary 2006
21-Sep-06 Jim Gerlach for Congress 1,000 General
02-Nov-06 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General 2006
20-Sep-06 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General
30-Aug-07 Mark Kirk for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
02-Sep-05 National Republican 25,000 Primary 2006
Congressional Comm
30-Aug-06 National Republican 100,000 General
Congressional Comm
24-Feb-05 Peoria County Republican 400 Primary 2006
Central Comm
01-Mar-06 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary 2006
Central Comm
01-Jul-06 Peoria County Republican 800 General
Central Comm
25-Jul-06 Peoria County Republican 141 General
Central Comm
03-Feb-05 Ray LaHood for Illinois 50,000 Primary 2006
08-Mar-06 Roskam Illinois Victory 1,000 Primary 2006
Committee
13-Jan-05 Sangamon County Republican 600 Primary 2006
Central Comm
26-Jan-06 Sangamon County Republican 600 Primary 2006
Central Comm
08-Feb-06 Schwarz for Congress 1,000 Primary 2006
03-Oct-05 Van Hilleary for Senate 1,000 Primary 2006
30-Nov-05 Wine Institute PAC 1,000 Primary 2006
07-Dec-05 Zinga for Congress 1,000 Primary 2006
03-Apr-06 Zinga for Congress 2,000 General 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of Ray LaHood, 2008
Contributions to individuals, campaign organizations, political parties,
political action committees, or similar entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Date Name (in $) Period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
07-Feb-07 Adams County Republican 375 Primary 2008
Central Comm
07-Mar-07 Brown County Republican CC 100 Primary 2008
02-Mar-07 Capitol GA-10 Congressional 2,000 Primary 2008
Victory Comm
02-Nov-07 Cindy Ardis Jenkins for 1,000 Primary 2008
State Rep.
29-Nov-07 Citizens for Ardis 250 Primary 2008
24-May-07 Citizens for Chris Reif 100 Primary 2008
12-Sep-07 Citizens for Leitch 250 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Citizens for McCoy 150 General 2008
26-Mar-07 Citizens for Unes 400 Primary 2008
15-Jun-07 Committee to Elect David 2,000 Primary 2008
Cappiello
20-Sep-07 Committee to Elect McHugh 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Jun-07 Dan Burton for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
05-Feb-07 David McSweeney for Congress 1,000 Primary 2008
31-Oct-07 Dennis Conover for Tazewell 100 Primary 2008
Cty Coroner
20-Sep-07 Duncan D. Hunter for 1,000 Primary 2008
Congress
31-Oct-07 Fed. of IL Young Republicans 250 Primary 2008
12-Feb-07 The Freedom Project 5,000 Primary 2008
28-Jan-08 The Freedom Project 5,000 Primary 2008
20-Jun-08 Friends for Joan Krupa 5,000 General 2008
07-Jan-08 Friends of Sally & Carla 250 Primary 2008
30-Aug-07 Friends of Tim Johnson 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Friends of Tim Johnson 1,000 General 2008
10-Oct-07 Friends of Zach Wamp 2,000 Primary 2008
14-Jan-08 Gary Joseph for Woodford 150 Primary 2008
County Board
20-Sep-07 Gilchrest for Congress 1,000 Primary 2008
31-Oct-07 Hayes for Congress 1,000 Primary 2008
20-Feb-08 Illinois Republican Party 2,000 General 2008
08-May-08 Illinois Republican Party 75 General 2008
17-Apr-08 Illinois Republican Party 50 General 2008
27-Jun-08 Illinois Republican Party 600 General 2008
21-Sep-07 Jim McConoughey for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
20-Mar-07 John McCain 2008 2,000 Primary 2008
20-Feb-08 John McCain 2008 2,000 General 2008
12-Sep-07 John Morris for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
01-May-08 John Stephen for Congress 500 General 2008
20-Feb-08 Johnna Ingersoll Coroner 250 General 2008
30-Aug-07 Judy Biggert for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Judy Biggert for Congress 1,000 General 2008
12-Dec-07 Knollenberg for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Lincoln Diaz-Balart for 500 General 2008
Congress
07-Feb-07 Logan County Republican 100 Primary 2008
Central Comm
28-Jan-08 Logan County Republican 100 Primary 2008
Central Comm
20-Jun-08 Macon County Republican 625 General 2008
Central Comm
30-Aug-07 Manzullo for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Manzullo for Congress 1,000 General 2008
05-Nov-08 Manzullo for Congress 1,000 Primary 2010
15-Sep-08 Mario Diaz-Balart for 500 General 2008
Congress
02-Nov-06 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General 2006
30-Aug-07 Mark Kirk for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Mark Kirk for Congress 1,000 General 2008
14-Feb-07 Marshall County Republicans 100 Primary 2008
16-Feb-07 Mary Bono Mack Committee 2,000 Primary 2008
14-Feb-08 Mary Bono Mack Committee 2,000 General 2008
14-Mar-07 Mason County Republican 100 Primary 2008
Central Comm
07-Nov-07 Menard County Republican 100 Primary 2008
Central Comm
20-Feb-08 Menard County Republican 500 General 2008
Central Comm
31-Oct-07 Mike Stroh for State's 500 Primary 2008
Attorney
30-Aug-07 Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative 1,000 Primary 2008
PAC
30-Apr-07 Mitch Daniels for Governor 1,000 Primary 2008
Campaign Comm
25-Apr-07 Morgan County Republican 150 Primary 2008
Central Comm
01-May-08 Morgan County Republican 150 General 2008
Central Comm
11-Jan-07 National Republican 25,000 Primary 2008
Congressional Comm
09-Mar-07 National Republican 30,000 Primary 2008
Congressional Comm
08-Sep-07 National Republican 50,000 Primary 2008
Congressional Comm
29-Nov-07 OH-5 Congressional Victory 2,000 Primary 2008
Committee
01-Oct-07 Oberweis for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
01-Oct-07 Ogonowski for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
12-Aug-07 People with Hart 2,000 Primary 2008
12-Jul-07 People's Party of Peoria 250 Primary 2008
Heights
07-Feb-07 Peoria Co. Republican 125 Primary 2008
Women's Club
06-Aug-07 Peoria Co. Republican 100 Primary 2008
Women's Club
28-Feb-08 Peoria Co. Republican 125 General 2008
Women's Club
14-Feb-07 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary 2008
Central Comm
20-Sep-07 Peoria County Republican 3,500 Primary 2008
Central Comm
29-Nov-07 Peoria County Republican 1,000 Primary 2008
Central Comm
26-Sep-07 Pete King for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
30-May-07 Pike County Republican 100 Primary 2008
Committee
14-Feb-07 Putnam County Republican 100 Primary 2008
Central Comm
19-Nov-07 Republican Main Street PAC 5,000 Primary 2008
30-Aug-07 Roskam for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Roskam for Congress 1,000 General 2008
24-Jan-07 Sangamon County Republican 1,000 Primary 2008
Central Comm
20-Sep-07 Sangamon County Republican 2,500 Primary 2008
Central Comm
14-Jan-08 Sangamon County Republican 1,100 Primary 2008
Central Comm
31-Oct-07 Sangamon Cty Board Repub 500 Primary 2008
Election Comm
25-Oct-07 Schock for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
12-Feb-07 Sweeney for Congress, Debt 2,000 Primary 2008
Retirement
12-Nov-07 Team Sununu 2,000 Primary 2008
30-Aug-07 Volunteers for Shimkus 2,000 Primary 2008
15-Sep-08 Volunteers for Shimkus 1,000 General 2008
30-Aug-07 Walsh for Congress 2,000 Primary 2008
14-Feb-07 Woodford County Republican 275 Primary 2008
Central Comm
15-Aug-07 Woodford County Republican 100 Primary 2008
Central Comm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abraham Lincoln Leadership PAC
Contributions to individuals, campaign organizations, political parties,
political action committees, or similar entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Date Name (in $) Period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22-Mar-06 Brian Bilbray for Congress 1,000 General
15-Jul-05 Citizens for Frank Watson 1,000 Primary
02-Oct-06 Fitzpatrick for Congress 1,000 General
04-May-06 Friends of Ernest Istook 500 General
15-Jul-05 Friends of Peter Roskam 1,000 Primary
02-Oct-06 McSweeney for Congress 2006 1,000 General
17-Aug-05 Otter for Idaho 1,000 Primary
02-Oct-06 Roskam for Congress 1,000 General
02-Oct-06 Whalen for Congress 1,000 General
02-Oct-06 Zinga for Congress 1,000 General
04-Oct-02 Bass for Congress 1,000 General
04-Oct-02 Bentley for Congress 500 General
15-Oct-02 Bob Beauprez for Congress 500 General
19-Oct-04 Bob Beauprez for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-02 Cass Ballenger for Congress 500 General
06-Sep-02 Chris Chocola for Congress 500 General
15-Oct-02 Cole for Congress 500 General
30-Oct-02 Friends of Clyde Holloway 500 Primary
06-Sep-02 Friends of Connie Morella 1,000 General
19-Oct-02 Friends of Marilyn F O'Grady 500 General
27-Sep-02 Friends of Sheri Boehlert 500 General
15-Oct-02 Ganske for Senate 500 General
06-Sep-02 Gekas for Congress 1,000 General
06-Sep-02 Hayes for Congress 1,000 General
06-Sep-02 Heather Wilson for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-04 Heather Wilson for Congress 1,000 General
04-Oct-02 Jeb Bradley for Congress 500 General
Committee
15-Oct-02 Jim Gerlach for Congress 500 General
13-Oct-04 Jim Gerlach for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-02 Jo Bonner for Congress 1,000 General
15-Oct-02 John Thune for South Dakota 1,000 General
27-Sep-02 Kennedy 2002 500 General
01-Aug-02 Knollenberg for Congress 500 General
Committee
15-Oct-02 McCotter Congressional 500 General
Committee
19-Oct-02 Musgrave for Congress 500 General
19-Oct-04 Musgrave for Congress 1,000 General
25-Jun-02 Nussle for Congress 1,000 Primary
19-Oct-02 Nussle for Congress 1,000 General
14-Mar-02 Pat Toomey for Congress 1,000 Primary
15-Oct-02 Pearce for Congress 500 General
06-Sep-02 Pickering for Congress 1,000 General
15-Oct-02 Raye for Congress 500 General
06-Sep-02 Re-elect Nancy Johnson to 1,000 General
Congress Comm
15-Oct-02 Renzi for Congress 500 General
15-Oct-02 Richard Pombo for Congress 1,000 General
06-Sep-02 Shelly Moore Capito for 1,000 General
Congress
06-Sep-02 Simmons for Congress 1,000 General
19-Sep-02 Taff for Congress 1,000 General
22-Oct-02 Texans for Henry Bonilla 1,000 General
15-Oct-02 Thousands of South Dakotans 500 General
06-Sep-02 Tom Feeney for Congress 500 General
27-Sep-02 Volunteers for Shimkus 1,000 General
20-Sep-04 Andrea Lane Zinga for 1,000 General
Congress
13-Oct-04 Andrea Lane Zinga for 1,000 General
Congress
15-Oct-02 Bob Beauprez for Congress 500 General
19-Oct-04 Bob Beauprez for Congress 1,000 General
19-Jun-04 Crane for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-04 Crane for Congress 1,000 General
06-May-04 Curt Bromm for Congress 1,000 Primary
21-Oct-03 Fletcher for Governor 1,000 Primary
29-Jul-04 Friends of Sherwood Boehlert 1,000 General
06-Sep-02 Heather Wilson for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-04 Heather Wilson for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-04 Illinois Republican Party 10,000 General
14-Jan-08 Illinois Republican Party 4,300 Primary
15-Oct-02 Jim Gerlach for Congress 500 General
13-Oct-04 Jim Gerlach for Congress 1,000 General
20-Nov-02 Lee Fletcher for Congress 1,000 General
13-Oct-04 Mark Kennedy for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-02 Musgrave for Congress 500 General
19-Oct-04 Musgrave for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-04 Nancy Naples for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-04 Rick Renzi for Congress 1,000 General
19-Oct-04 Rob Simmons for Congress 1,000 General
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray LaHood for Illinois
Contributions to individuals, campaign organizations, political parties,
political action committees, or similar entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Date Name (in $) Period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
01-Sep-06 Citizens for McCoy 500 General
21-Sep-06 Citizens for McCoy 500 General
30-Aug-07 Citizens for McCoy 500 Primary
30-Aug-07 Citizens for McCoy 500 Primary
25-Aug-08 Citizens for McCoy 500 General
15-Sep-08 Citizens for McCoy 500 General
15-May-06 Citizens for McGlynn 500 General
26-Oct-06 Citizens for Myers 500 General
08-Jun-06 Citizens for Peraica 500 General
03-Aug-06 Citizens for Peraica 500 General
04-May-06 Citizens for Radogno 500 General
15-Aug-06 Citizens for Radogno 500 General
06-Oct-05 Citizens for Schock 500 Primary
12-Dec-05 Citizens for Schock 500 Primary
01-Mar-06 Citizens for Schock 500 Primary
22-Sep-06 Citizens for Schock 500 General
12-Oct-06 Citizens for Schock 500 General
26-Oct-06 Citizens for Schock 500 General
10-Jul-06 Citizens to Elect Jil Tracy 500 General
15-Aug-06 Citizens to Elect Jil Tracy 500 General
22-Sep-06 Citizens to Elect Jil Tracy 500 General
15-Jun-06 Citizens to Elect Joe 500 General
Birkett
28-Nov-05 Committee to Elect Steve 500 Primary
Haring
06-Mar-06 Daryl Dagit for State 500 Primary
Representative
21-Sep-06 Daryl Dagit for State 500 General
Representative
26-Oct-06 Daryl Dagit for State 500 General
Representative
23-Feb-05 Douglas County RCC 600 Primary
13-Apr-05 Douglas County RCC 1,000 Primary
01-Apr-05 Douglas County RCC 1,000 Primary
01-Jul-06 Ernie Russell for State 1,000 Primary
Senate
22-Mar-06 Friends for Jeff Richey 1,000 General
22-Sep-06 Friends for Jeff Richey 1,000 General
26-Oct-06 Friends for Jeff Richey 1,000 General
03-Oct-05 Friends for Poe 1,000 Primary
27-Oct-05 Friends for Richard Brauer 1,000 Primary
30-May-06 Friends for Richard Brauer 1,000 General
11-Jan-07 Friends of George Jacob 1,000 Primary
13-Oct-05 Friends of Jack Quinn 1,000 Primary
14-Jul-06 Friends of Jack Quinn 1,000 General
11-Oct-06 Friends of Judge Bordner 1,000 General
21-Jan-07 Friends of Ryan Spain 1,000 Primary
11-Apr-07 Friends of Ryan Spain 1,000 Primary
16-Nov-05 Friends of Stu Umholtz 1,000 Primary
03-Apr-06 Friends of Stu Umholtz 1,000 General
15-Aug-06 Friends of Stu Umholtz 1,000 General
12-Jan-06 GIPAC, Illinois Nurserymen's 1,000 Primary
Association
13-Mar-06 Citizens for Gambill 1,000 Primary
04-May-06 Gary Dahl for State Senate 1,000 General
21-Sep-05 Gibbons for Governor 1,000 Primary
12-Aug-07 Illinois Republican Party 1,000 Primary
15-Aug-06 Illinois Republican Party 1,000 General
15-Sep-05 Iowans for Nussle 1,000 Primary
28-Sep-05 Jim Durkin Campaign 1,000 Primary
Committee
19-Oct-05 Knox County RCC 1,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Logan County RCC 1,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Macon County RCC 1,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Marshall County RCC 1,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Mason County RCC 1,000 Primary
17-Mar-05 Menard County RCC 1,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Menard County RCC 1,000 Primary
02-Nov-06 Menard County RCC 1,000 General
16-Nov-05 Mitzelfelt for County Clerk 1,000 Primary
04-May-06 Mitzelfelt for County Clerk 1,000 General
15-Aug-06 Mitzelfelt for County Clerk 1,000 General
01-Sep-06 Mitzelfelt for County Clerk 1,000 General
02-Nov-06 Mitzelfelt for County Clerk 2,000 General
19-Oct-05 Morgan County RCC 2,000 Primary
16-Aug-06 Otter for Idaho 2,000 General
15-Aug-06 People for Pankau 2,000 General
06-Oct-05 Peoria County RCC 2,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Peoria County RCC 2,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Pike County RCC 2,000 Primary
02-Oct-06 Pike County RCC 2,000 General
19-Oct-05 Putnam County RCC 2,500 Primary
28-Sep-05 Rutherford Campaign 2,500 Primary
Committee
16-Nov-05 Rutherford Campaign 2,500 Primary
Committee
15-Aug-06 Rutherford Campaign 3,000 General
Committee
16-Oct-06 Rutherford Campaign 4,000 General
Committee
10-Jul-06 Sangamon County Republican 4,000 General
Election Comm
19-Oct-05 Sangamon County RCC 4,500 Primary
27-Jul-06 Sangamon County RCC 5,000 General
02-Oct-06 Sangamon County RCC 5,000 General
16-Feb-05 Schuyler County RCC 5,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Schuyler County RCC 5,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Scott County RCC 5,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Stark County RCC 5,000 Primary
01-Sep-06 Stark County RCC 5,000 General
19-Oct-05 Tazewell County RCC 5,000 Primary
01-Sep-05 Todd Smith--County Board 10,000 Primary
17-Jul-06 Todd Smith--County Board 10,000 General
15-Sep-05 Tom Osborne for Governor 10,000 Primary
30-Mar-05 Will County RCC 10,000 Primary
15-Sep-05 Will County RCC 10,000 Primary
19-Oct-05 Woodford County RCC 10,000 Primary
14-Jul-06 Woodford County RCC 25,000 General
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chairman. Thank you very much. There are so many
questions to answer. And maybe I will just start with what has
already been discussed by the distinguished Ranking Member and
others. And that is the whole question of our air traffic
control system, funding for the FAA, getting a reauthorization
bill out in time.
I have always been stunned. I have a new trick which I use
which actually works, and that is I say that Mongolia has a
more modern air traffic control system than we do. It happens
that they don't have any at all right now, but they're building
one and it's digitalized and it runs on GPS.
We have our old system which we blithely accept. As we
accept enormous delays knowing perfectly well that if you could
reconfigure runways at O'Hare, which has been done to some
extent, if you had an air traffic control system that was
digitalized under GPS, you'd probably have a one-third
efficiency pick up in the skies.
Well, to do that it costs money. And in order to build the
new air traffic control system it obviously requires new money.
Also, you have to maintain the old one as you're building the
new one. So that's a double hit.
Traditionally the FAA has been underfunded. And
traditionally many of our programs, which we'll be discussing
over the coming months, have been underfunded. But I'm just
interested in your attitude, Representative LaHood as to this
question of NextGen and efficiency in our skies.
Mr. LaHood. Mr. Chairman, my top priorities is to find the
most talented FAA Administrator that we can find, and then
recommend that person to President Obama so he can recommend
that person to the Senate for confirmation. The FAA
administrator is one of the most important positions in the
Department, and we've talked a lot about that position during
my transition.
We need someone who can help resolve some of these disputes
that have taken place between the controllers and the agency.
That has to be a priority. We have to have people in these
TRACONs. We have to have FAA employees that like going to work
every day because they have very important jobs. All of us that
fly as often as we do want to make sure that people who are
controlling aircraft are satisfied with their work.
So I'm trying to find somebody, who is willing to come into
the job, work with the controllers to resolve the dispute and
get that issue off the table so that it does not become
something that we or the President is going to have to deal
with. That is a top priority.
The next priority in the FAA is obviously NextGen.
The Chairman. Can I interrupt for one second?
Mr. LaHood. Yes, sir.
The Chairman. One of the problems, and you brought it up
very distinctly, is how we fund the new air traffic control
system. We have a system now wherein, so called legacy
airlines--and there used to be so many just like trains, and
now there are many fewer--are bearing 92 percent of the cost of
running our analog air traffic control system.
Whereas the great majority of airplanes, and I don't
include crop dusters or King Airs or anything in that category,
but private jets, things of this sort have to be treated the
same way by an air traffic controller, same attention, and
they're paying for about 8 percent of the cost. That doesn't
strike me as entirely fair.
Do you have thoughts on this?
Mr. LaHood. I do, Mr. Chairman. My thought is that when we
look at NextGen, we need to look at a bigger picture of how we
get to where we want to be. But then we need to set a very
realistic benchmark.
Based on what I've been able to learn from the experts, we
need to look at how we get the next five to 8 years out in
terms of really getting to NextGen with the idea that it's
going to take much longer than that. So that everybody in the
industry, everybody that uses the equipment, everybody that's
involved in this, realizes that we have an attainable short-
term goal that fits into the longer-term goal of getting to the
implementation of NextGen. But this idea of having some kind of
pie in the sky idea for getting to NextGen without an avenue to
do it, and I think the avenue is in the next 5 to 8 years, the
industry, the controllers, everybody knows this is where we're
going. This is the road map.
Then the overall goal is to complete that. That's my idea
on it. I know this NextGen-technology is not inexpensive, but
we have to do it. There has to be a commitment from the
Congress, from the FAA, and from all the stakeholders, to get
this done. The flying public deserves it.
The Chairman. I thank you, sir. And I'll just close for
yielding to Senator Hutchison that we had a number of these
meetings where we asked the legacy airlines, the general
aviation community, and the various unions involved to get
together and figure out what would be a fair way to fund a
modern air traffic control system and yet have it reflect in
some way, the usage of that system. And we got nowhere, as you
know.
So I just put that on your plate with some feeling and call
on Senator Hutchison.
Senator Hutchison. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Representative
LaHood, do you support the full national Amtrak system?
Mr. LaHood. Well, the bill that Congress passed last year
is a very good bill and I fully intend on working with Congress
to implement it. I think it's the way forward to get us a
comprehensive Amtrak system in this country. I'm not an
independent operator anymore because I didn't get elected to
anything last November but, during my 14 years in Congress,
I've been a strong supporter of Amtrak. It's the life blood for
many, many communities around the country. And I will work with
all of you to implement the Amtrak bill. I think it's a good
bill.
Senator Hutchison. Thank you. Toll roads. Recently I think
we have focused really too strongly, in my opinion, on
privately-financed toll roads to solve the problems of urban
congestion.
And in many instances this has taken on, I think,
abdication of private property rights. I am very concerned
about our Federal Government giving incentives to promote these
and in some instances allowing tolls over every lane of a
Federal highway that the taxpayers have already built. What is
your position on tolling Federal highways that have already
been paid for by the taxpayers for as many as 10 and 12 miles
every lane?
I think it is breaking our contract with the people that we
would have a Federal highway system that would promote commerce
because they are freeways. And I would like to see what your
position is. And what this Administration will do in regard to
these massive toll roads.
Mr. LaHood. One of our big challenges, Senator, is to find
ways to plus up the Highway Trust Fund. All of us who were
around here last year know that we had to provide $8 billion to
plus it up. We're going to reauthorize the surface
transportation bill this year. And there's not going to be
enough money to do all the things that we all want to do.
So, I think we do have to think outside of the box, and
part of thinking outside of the box is the idea that, in
building new lanes, adding lanes on, or building additional
roadways, we would have tolling pay for part of that. Now,
taking a part of the existing interstate highway, that people
are already using and putting tolls on that, I personally do
not think that is a good idea. Obviously, it's something that
people will talk about. But it's not something that I
personally think is a good idea.
But I do think the idea if you want to add an additional
lane to a road and you want to toll it. If you want to build a
bridge, which costs an enormous amount of money, I think people
ought to think about tolls on the bridge as a way to pay for it
and as a way to maintain it. But the idea of taking an
interstate road and putting a toll booth on it, I think is not
a good idea, Senator.
Senator Hutchison. Well thank you. That's the answer. I
have said that I agree. We should be able to toll a lane to
build another lane. But that doesn't close the free lanes that
are there. And you're keeping the same number of free lanes.
And I also think with local input and approval tolling a
bridge is fine. I think the key though is that we don't have a
policy in this country of breaking the phase with the taxpayers
who have built a Federal highway system and it has taken, what,
60 years to do it. And then we stop the freeway and all of a
sudden toll.
It's just the wrong public policy. So I think you have said
you agree with that. And I certainly agree with you on the
distinction between closing a lane with tolls and adding
another lane.
Last question. Slot auctions. This Department of
Transportation has gone out with requests for proposed
rulemaking to auction slots that have been already paid for by
different airlines, particularly in the New York area,
LaGuardia and then reselling them without the consent of the
airline that has already purchased them.
What is your position on that? And are you looking at
stopping those auctions or going forward with them? I'd like to
have your input.
Mr. LaHood. Senator, I think that, if the idea is to
relieve congestion at a place like LaGuardia, and one way to do
it is to eliminate slots, I think it kind of defeats the
purpose then to go back and say that you're going to auction
those off. Personally, again, I don't like that idea. I think
it defeats what you're trying to do. If you're really trying to
cut down congestion then eliminate the slots. But the idea of
then going back and re-auctioning them doesn't make any sense
to me.
Senator Hutchison. Thank you. I agree with you. And I
appreciate that answer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Hutchison. Senator
Lautenberg?
Senator Lautenberg. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Again,
Representative LaHood, soon to be, well I won't preempt the
Committee, but so far you're doing pretty good.
[Laughter.]
Senator Lautenberg. Last year you voted as a House member
for my $13 billion Amtrak bill which would greatly expand rail
service throughout our country. Ray, can we count on you to
fight to get us the full funding to meet this law, to meet the
increased demand for rail travel that we're seeing?
Mr. LaHood. Senator Lautenberg, as a 14 year member of the
House, I've been a strong supporter of Amtrak. It's the life
blood of so many communities around America. I will do all that
I can to be helpful to you, and to the Congress to find the
funding to implement what I think is a very good bill that we
all voted for last year.
Senator Lautenberg. I just wanted to remind you.
[Laughter.]
Senator Lautenberg. Anyway approximately $5 billion from
the Federal New Starts program are expected to be needed for
transit projects around the country in the coming year. But the
FTA, Federal Transit Administration, only has less than $1
billion as a ceiling to commit to these projects. As Secretary
would you support increasing this authority so that these
projects, including a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River--
and I want to point out to those who hear this that this is not
a commuter tunnel. Commuters use it.
This is a national priority. It attaches the financial
center of the world with the rest of the country with ease and
reliability. And we've got to make sure that we continue to
expand that need.
I remind everybody that on 9/11, when few things were
operating to enable people to get from place to place, it was
Amtrak that brought people up from Washington so that they
could see what was happening and act accordingly. So as
Secretary can we count on you to support increasing this
authority so that these projects, including the new rail tunnel
under the Hudson River can move without delay?
It's going to provide immediately 6,000 jobs which is a
mission that this wonderful President of ours has chosen to do
and that is to build employment. So can we count on you?
Mr. LaHood. You can count on me, Senator.
Senator Lautenberg. The current FAA tried to redesign the
air routes over our region, New York, New Jersey. These changes
have created problems including some confusion between pilots
and controllers and many instances of planes going the wrong
way after takeoff. I'd like your commitment to look at this
problem and try to halt the use of these new routes until the
potentially dangerous situation is resolved.
Mr. LaHood. Senator, you have my commitment to look at it
and to instruct the FAA to do all they can to meet with you,
your staff and other people in the region to try and figure out
a solution to the problem.
Senator Lautenberg. OK, safety you said was a principal
factor.
Mr. LaHood. Absolutely.
Senator Lautenberg. In your view. Now I don't know whether
this question was asked, Mr. Chairman, while I was out, but the
air traffic controllers have been without a collective
bargaining contract since 2005. We're going to count on you.
Tell me if you will work with the air traffic controllers,
other FAA unions, to get a collective bargaining agreement on
pay and working conditions in place.
Mr. LaHood. Senator, I think two of the most important
things that the FAA Administrator needs to do is to resolve the
dispute and get it off the table for President Obama and for
all of us and get it behind us. I think it's very important. I
think it's very doable. I really do, based on everything I've
heard.
Then of course, the second most important part of that job
is to get to NextGen. We're going to be committed to getting an
agreement that people feel they can live with.
Senator Lautenberg. Well one of the things that I sense,
and I hope that I'm correct in my analysis, is that you're
going to be an active Secretary of Transportation.
Mr. LaHood. Yes, sir.
Senator Lautenberg. And that's what we want. We don't like
spectators doing these jobs. We don't like second guessers
doing these jobs. We like leadership.
I commend you. And I look forward to your continuing to
move through the process. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Senator Lautenberg.
Senator Klobuchar?
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. When
we met last week, Representative LaHood, we talked about our
transportation needs. We talked about thinking outside the box
when it came to financing and as Rahm Emanuel, I know you
wanted me to quote him in your confirmation hearing here, has
said, ``We shouldn't waste a good crisis.''
Can you give me some out-of-the-box ideas or things that
are on your mind, for instance for replenishing the Highway
Trust Fund, how we're going to do that? That would be a start.
Mr. LaHood. First of all, I think what Senator Warner said
about public-private partnerships is thinking outside the box.
Tolling of new highway lanes is a different way of thinking
about it. I think of tolling bridges if people need a new
bridge.
We need to think about the kinds of opportunities that
would help us pay for the infrastructure needs that we all know
are very, very important. And we can perhaps use the Highway
Trust Fund to maintain some of the highways that we've built.
But if we're going to think innovatively in the
reauthorization, then those are some of the ways that we need
to think about these things, differently than just the gasoline
tax.
We know that Amtrak ridership is still way up even though
gasoline prices have come down. We know, in places like
Chicago, that people are still using a lot of mass transit even
though gasoline prices have come down. And we know that people
are still going to drive, but the resources to pay for it
through the Highway Trust Fund is a dinosaur, if you'll excuse
the expression.
It was developed when Eisenhower and the Congress came up
with the idea of developing an interstate system. We've come
far afield of that now. And so I'm willing to listen to all
these ideas.
Senator Klobuchar. OK.
Mr. LaHood. We need to really be creative about this, and I
think we can be.
Senator Klobuchar. Very good. Thank you.
The bridge Bailey and I discussed. I don't need you to
comment exactly on it, but the issue is that not enough money
has been focused in the states on maintaining bridges because
it's always fun to build new bridges and have a ribbon cutting
and things like that. And both Congressman Oberstar and I have
been concerned about the fact that not enough of the bridge
repair, bridge maintenance money goes into bridge maintenance.
Do you want to comment on that?
Mr. LaHood. Well, you obviously pointed that out very well
to me. I'm certainly willing to look at it and work with you to
figure out ways to make sure that we maintain not only the
bridges, but also the interstate system, which is a very
comprehensive system; it is one of the best in the world, if
not the best.
Senator Klobuchar. Right. Another topic, a little
different. I'm a strong proponent of high-speed Internet in the
economic recovery package that we're considering right now and
there are obvious issues of people in rural areas not having
access. But I understand that laying fiber is an expensive
undertaking.
And so it seems to me when we embark on increased spending
on highway projects, we would also be wise to consider ways to
couple road construction and maintenance projects with the
laying of fiber. In other words why dig up roads twice in this
difficult economic time when you can kill two birds with one
stone. Do you see any kind of potential for partnership in this
area in the near term in the Economic Recovery package, but
more likely with the Highway bill as we look at transit funding
and how we can couple this with incentives to lay the fiber at
the same time?
Mr. LaHood. Again, as we consider reauthorization, we have
to think outside the box and in ways that we haven't thought
about these issues. I've been a strong supporter because I come
from a state like Illinois, where it is very rural once you get
south of Interstate 80. Broadband is very important.
As we build roads into rural parts of states like Illinois,
Minnesota, or Virginia, we need to figure out ways to make sure
that people have access to the world. I think that's what we
really ought to be thinking about in the reauthorization.
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you very much.
Mr. LaHood. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Klobuchar. Senator Snowe?
Senator Snowe. Thank you. Returning to the question on the
CAFE standards because that clearly is going to be one of the
major issues that you'll be confronting. As you know that the
previous Administration did not issue the ruling for the model
year 2011. Have you had a chance to evaluate this issue?
And I say this because I know that there will be concerns
raised well you know this maybe not the appropriate time given
where the state of the auto industry. But that's just precisely
what got the auto industry in trouble. Financially were not
prepared. You know, they weren't on the vanguard of change in
innovation technologically to respond to the marketplace when,
you know, prices of gasoline skyrocketed and didn't have the
available models for hybrid technology to any great extent to
fuel efficient vehicles.
So we received cost-benefit ratios from the National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration yesterday both the
light truck and automobiles and clearly an indication that the
benefits outweigh the cost through the model year 2015. And I
certainly would like to share this information as something
that you all be able to receive. But would like to get your
input in terms of how you view this issue and how you're
prepared to address it as the next Secretary of Transportation.
Mr. LaHood. Senator Snowe, when I was in the House I
probably voted maybe eight or ten times on amendments to raise
the CAFE standards. I think it is one way for us to really
overcome some of the pollution that exists around the country.
However, what is more important than my own votes, is that
President Obama, as you know, is very strong in this area and
has spoken out on it on a number of occasions. They're not
going to have to push me very hard from the White House to do
this, but I assume that I'll be hearing from them very soon.
We're going to meet the standard. And we should. It has to
be a part of the overall plan here to eliminate pollution, the
greening of America and get the American car manufacturers in
the game here, with the reality that they need to be producing
American cars and that get much better mileage.
Senator Snowe. Well, I appreciate that because it is true.
I mean when you weigh the benefits to the cost whether it's
the, you know, climate change effect or reducing gasoline
consumption or carbon dioxide emissions collectively truly do
provide tremendous benefits and outweigh the cost. And I
appreciate that because the schedule for issuing the deadlines
has to be by April 1.
Mr. LaHood. That's correct.
Senator Snowe. As you well know and I just hope that that
will be the case. Frankly continuing to defer doesn't help the
industry. They need to have certainty in addition to the fact
that we have to be on the cutting edge of change and be
prepared for the future given the state of energy today.
And putting themselves at risk, as we found when the
consumers were not in a position to be able to purchase
vehicles that were fuel efficient. And they weren't prepared to
sell them. So it's in our national interest, frankly, the final
analysis.
And I think that these statistics certainly underscore the
value of the CAFE standards and how we must meet to achieve
them and meet the deadline that's created in the law.
Mr. LaHood. Senator Snowe, I'm going to do everything I can
to try and meet the deadline.
Senator Snowe. I appreciate that very much. Incidentally on
Essential Air Service again, it's a critical issue as I
mentioned earlier. And I hope that you would take a look at
this legislation that Senator Bingaman and I have introduced
particularly providing some flexibility in the contracts
between the Essential Air Service communities, the small
communities and the airlines to extend those contracts from two
to four years.
Again I think it's much more cost efficient. It certainly
is for the communities that have certainty and stability and to
be able to negotiate cost-efficient contracts. And it's
certainly something that is truly necessary if we're going to
do anything to rebuild rural communities across this country.
And frankly they've been shortchanged in the promises of
deregulation in 1978. They were supposed to be part of a
national plan, a national infrastructure system and they truly
have been left behind. So I hope that you will evaluate that as
well.
Mr. LaHood. Senator Snowe, I know that Chairman Rockefeller
is keenly interested in this. Again, during 14 years I served
in the House, so many of my district's small communities were
lacking in air service, and we worked very hard to get
Essential Air Service in these communities.
It's important. It can be an economic engine for these
communities and it's an opportunity, really for people in these
communities to have service. I will work very hard with you and
others who want to make this happen.
Senator Snowe. I appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Snowe. Before I make--just
make a suggestion. I'd just like to say that I think our
posture as a committee should not be to figure out, ``gee we're
not going to have the money to pay for this.''
I think our, you know, because of whatever size the
stimulus package or our national debt is going to be, I think
our posture ought to be that we need to do everything that we
need to do to fulfill the mandate of this committee and protect
the safety and prosperity of the American people. And that's
the way I intend to look at it so that it will land squarely on
your shoulders should you be confirmed, all the hard decisions.
Now having said that----
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. Having said that and before calling on
Senator Warner and Senator Begich, it is the desire of the
majority party to try and get all nominees approved this
afternoon, if possible. And there is a way that we can do that
and meet the four o'clock deadline.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. And that is by asking, in that I sense
nothing but approval and willingness to work with you from our
point of view and from your point of view exactly the same view
toward us. I would suggest--I would ask if the members of the
Committee, voting members of the Committee, would give Kay
Bailey Hutchison and I the right to simply inform the floor
that if they want to run a UC on you at 1 minute of four and
get you nominated by four o'clock, the Committee will not be
unhappy. The Chairman will be happy.
Senator Hutchison. Mr. Chairman, let me just say that I
agree with that. I think 4:30 was the deadline.
The Chairman. 4:30?
[Laughter.]
Senator Hutchison. So we'll----
The Chairman. A little pressure----
Senator Hutchison. You know, the realistic responsible
Republican here.
[Laughter.]
Senator Hutchison. But seriously, I think this is a very
good idea of yours. I appreciate your leadership. Because I
think it is fair for all of us and right for all of us that Mr.
LaHood become the Secretary and go over there and start doing
so many of the things that we have just asked him to address.
And so I would approve of that.
We will also notify our side that it's going to happen. And
if they want to object they will have the right to object. But
I don't see anyone doing that.
I think that you have done a very good job. And I look
forward to working with you. And I hope we can do that this
afternoon, by 4:30.
The Chairman. And that means that a unanimous consent
agreement will be run through the telephones on each side and
if anybody objects then that ends that. And then we hope that
nobody objects. And then that will end that. And we'll have a
new Secretary of Transportation.
So that will proceed. And then in order of membership on
the Committee I need to call on Senator McCaskill. And just so
that Senator Warner and Senator Begich don't feel mistreated,
it's just a problem of one day.
So Senator McCaskill, you have what you have to say and ask
and then Senator Warner, then Senator Begich.
STATEMENT OF HON. CLAIRE McCASKILL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSOURI
Senator McCaskill. I will be very brief, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. I know there was some discussion earlier,
Representative LaHood, about earmarks. I tried to research
earmarks in the Transportation budget. And found out that one
of the reasons it has flourished is because it's so darn
complicated.
Most members probably don't even understand the difference
between an ``above the line'' and a ``below the line.'' Many of
them don't understand that--in fact when I talked to CRS about
it trying to figure it out they told me to find an easier issue
to work on. Clearly it is not a matter of bringing extra money
into a state. Clearly there is some ``robbing Peter to pay
Paul'' that goes on with the earmarking process.
My state has an extensive planning process both through
metropolitan planning organizations and through our state
highway department. Lots of input, a regional approach, cost-
benefit analysis and their STIP program is well thought out and
with all the kind of input that you would ever want for a
public infrastructure project. When we are earmarking around
here, many times we are just putting projects upon these state
agencies that they, frankly, don't even want to do because they
have other projects that have in fact had this kind of public
transparency analysis.
And in Fiscal Year 2008, for example $340 million of the
$600 million that was going to be extra money that could have
gone into core funding programs was skimmed off for earmarking.
And one of the things that's most frustrating is even what you
have above the line that may be extra money, that money doesn't
go to the most valuable projects in terms of needs in our
country. It goes to who's most senior. It goes to the member
that is most politically vulnerable. It goes to people that
serve on certain committees. It doesn't go based on some kind
of analysis as to what is the best use of that money in a macro
sense.
I would like your answer today about what I just said and
how you view your job as the Secretary of Transportation to
have a more transparent and open process including local
planning for the way we fund infrastructure in this country.
Mr. LaHood. Well thank you, Senator. You know this because
you, like all of us, have followed the campaign and followed
the rhetoric. President Obama has made it very clear that, in
the Stimulus bill, the lion's share, which will come through
the Department of Transportation, will not be earmarked money.
We're going to do everything we possibly can to make sure
his mandate and his direction is carried out in our part of the
stimulus. So we're going to work with the Governors. And we're
going to tell the Governors that this money can come to your
state, but it has to be for projects that have been planned,
organized, and have met all of the requirements, because we
want people working this summer, building roads, building
bridges and doing infrastructure work.
We're going to hold Governors accountable. And we're going
to make sure that there are no earmarked dollars. That's the
mandate that I believe we have from President Obama on this.
Senator McCaskill. Well----
Mr. LaHood. Now when it comes to reauthorization, we're
going to have to work with all of you. I was on the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 6 years. I'm
not going to describe in detail all the stories that went on
over there about when a bill like ISTEA was marked up.
The point is, it's up to the members to decide there aren't
going to be earmarks. And it's up to the members to decide that
this money is going to be spent in a certain way. And we'll
help you with that. But when we get a mandate from the Congress
that x amount of dollars has to be spent on x amount of
project--or this project in a certain area, that's the law.
President Obama wants to eliminate earmarks, particularly
in the stimulus. I think that idea will carry over to the
reauthorization of the surface transportation bill. And I----
Senator McCaskill. I know that President Obama wants to
eliminate earmarks. I want to make sure the Secretary of
Transportation also wants to eliminate earmarks.
Mr. LaHood. Let me just repeat what I said, Senator. I work
for President Obama. I work for the American people. And I'm
going to work in collaboration with the Congress. Nobody has
more of a healthy respect for Congress than Ray LaHood.
I was a member for 14 years. I served as a staffer for 17
years. I have over 30 years working for Congress and I have a
healthy regard for what all of you do. I know how it works.
It's hard work.
I'm going to work with you. And I'm going to work with the
Chairman. I'm going to work with the Committee to fashion a
bill that makes sense for America, that funds the
infrastructure needs of America. And if it doesn't have one
earmark, that's not going to cause me any heartburn.
Senator McCaskill. Good. Good. I think you're a terrific
choice. I think it's great that President Obama selected you
because I spent a lot of time telling America that we were
going to have a bipartisan Cabinet. And I'm glad we do.
And I hope that you will forgive me that my first question
felt confrontational, but it's something I feel very strongly
about. And I look forward to working with you and the
Administration in the weeks to come on eliminating this. Let
the strongest be the most powerful when it comes to spending
public money.
Mr. LaHood. Well, thank you, Senator. I certainly wasn't
offended by it at all. And I meant what I said. I have the
highest regard for the Congress and what you all do, and I
always will. You'll always be a priority, always.
Senator McCaskill. Thank you.
Mr. LaHood. Thank you.
Senator McCaskill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator. Senator Warner?
Senator Warner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to go back
to the three points that I'd raised earlier, Representative
LaHood. And first of all let me acknowledge this first question
is more--you haven't gotten there yet, you've got your arms
around a very, very large department--but again, my prior
experience as Governor and working somewhat over the last
couple years on this issue, the complexity of the 11 agencies
that fall within DOT. That structure seems to be pretty much
set up in a 20th century structure.
And as we move particularly toward this, in what I hope
will be one of the directions of more looking at a project on a
multi-modal basis, the funding streams and the revenue streams
that come out of these specific agencies don't always
intertwine. As you look in your term as Secretary will you look
at the structure of the Department in terms of how we can
advance these more 21st century goals like multi-modal?
Mr. LaHood. Absolutely, Senator. I think what you're going
to find is that I'm going to be a very hands on. And the
Department will know I'm going to be very hands on.
I'm going to get all these modal Administrators together
and I'm going to explain to them very clearly that we have a
mandate from President Obama to get things done. We want less
bureaucracy and less red tape, and we want to put people to
work. We want to make sure that we carry out the mandates of
Congress on Amtrak and on FAA.
I'm going to pull people together and I'm going to make
them work hard. And we are going to work hard. And if it means
eliminating something here or there, or combining a few things
it'll be done.
Senator Warner. Thank you. The second part kind of goes
from the structure to the metrics and again I think Senator
McCaskill, Senator Wicker was raising issues about
accountability. I do think there's oftentimes a lack of
knowledge at a lot of policymaker's levels on what the metrics
of evaluation are going to be.
Again I think back about the old VMT standards and others.
You've talked about a livability standard. There's
conversations about a mobility standard. My hope, and this
would have to be done fairly quickly, but as you look at some
of the projects that are going to come out of the President's
Reinvestment Act, I would love that some of those projects on
almost a beta test model might be evaluated on some of these
new metrics. So that as you get to the Reauthorization bill
later in the year, you had some new metrics out there that are
going to take into accountability. They're going to take into
account, livability, mobility, these, I think again, are more
21st century ways we're going to measure our infrastructure
investment.
Mr. LaHood. You have my commitment to do that, Senator. I
think it's very important. We need to really move into the 21st
century on some of these things. And I think the
Reauthorization bill is going to allow us to do some of these--
--
Senator Warner.--Looks at a whole new way of looking at
projects----
Mr. LaHood. Absolutely. Absolutely.
Senator Warner. I mean that we've got more agreement.
Mr. LaHood. Get more value.
Senator Warner.--Policymakers in terms of value.
Mr. LaHood. Yes.
Senator Warner. And you've raised the issue. And I
appreciate your comments and Senator Hutchison's comments about
the tolling. I do think public/private is going to have to be a
piece of this.
And I would add Senator Klobuchar's idea of laying dark
fiber while you're putting in the roads is something we've
tried in Virginia with some mixed success. But it makes an
enormous amount of sense. And is one of those areas of public/
private.
But my hope, as a state that's been kind of out there on
the leading edge of public/private partnerships in
transportation for more than a decade, that as we look at these
initiatives on the public/private side, that we make sure that
the private party has actually got capital at risk and stays in
the game. And there have been too often proposals that came by
my desk as Governor that had a private partner looking good at
the first blush, but taking none of the risk and getting all
the rewards in the back end.
Mr. LaHood. Certainly.
Senator Warner. As we look at public/private which often
times involves tolling, making sure that they've got to stay in
the game is very important.
Mr. LaHood. I'd like to use your expertise on that and see
if we can make it happen. And since you are a part of this
committee, I think it will be a priority.
Senator Warner. Thank you, sir.
Mr. LaHood. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator. Senator Begich?
STATEMENT OF HON. MARK BEGICH,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA
Senator Begich. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I have
one, kind of parochial for Alaska and then I just have some
general ones I added as a couple more questions. But you know
the big project for Alaska and for this country, I believe and
actually President Obama has put it on his top five list, of
the green job creations in the future is the Alaska Natural Gas
Pipeline which will be thousands of jobs, a lot of investment,
but will benefit this country greatly.
With that project there's about $2 billion worth of road
projects--infrastructure that's necessary to construct that
project and get material to the sites. Is that something that
you'd be willing to work with the Alaska delegation to figure
out how to solve that first piece so that we can then move to
this larger $40 billion project?
Roads and bridges are part of the equation. We can't get
the project moving without those reconstructions or new
constructions to move the equipment, move the construction
material. Is that something that you'd be willing to work with
us on to get this mega-project forward?
Mr. LaHood. Yes, sir. I don't know if you are in a position
now to say that it's ready to go and could be a part of the
stimulus, but if it is----
Senator Begich.--Bid-ready.
Mr. LaHood. Well.
Senator Begich. Then we'll talk.
Mr. LaHood. Absolutely.
Senator Begich. OK. I'll leave it at that. I'll take it
because you're half way there so I don't want to blow it, so
I'll take it.
[Laughter.]
Mr. LaHood. I guarantee you won't blow it, Senator.
Senator Begich. OK, good. Well they are bid-ready.
Mr. LaHood. Yes, good.
Senator Begich. Good jobs. The other one, just to put it on
the record for you. I'm probably not one of those big fans for
tolling, but we can have that discussion. I think it hurts the
working people the most when they go on toll roads.
But I know that we have to be innovative in the future in
how we deal with roads. And I would like, maybe in the
Reauthorization--you know as we look at this Economic Recovery
bill one of the big problems is going to be and I noted when
you mentioned Governors, as a former mayor we love the state,
but we love local governments. Because we can deliver projects
faster, more efficient and we know exactly what project is
going to be done as quickly as possible.
My biggest concern with the Economic Recovery bill is just
that. It's going so much to the state bureaucracy that the
amount that they take on the DOT on the state level will knock
15, 20 maybe as much as 30 percent out of project for just
adding an overhead. And then it will trickle down to local
governments who then have to deliver these projects. So I have
some great concerns over that in the sense of how the Economic
Recovery bill is moving forward.
But in the longer term when the reauthorization of the
Highway bill comes up, I honestly think the system is broken in
the sense of deliverability of these projects. I'll just give
you one. In Alaska it was a pretty significant project because
we did it with our money, went through wetlands, did a lot of
things that met all the environmental requirements. The
environmental community was very satisfied with the end
project. We shaved off a year and a half of that project, saved
$2 million because of the difference in the regulatory process.
And I would like to work with you and whoever to try to
figure out how we solve this problem. Because if you talk to
any mayor and I talked to 200 of them on Monday across this
country, this is a significant problem in how to deliver money
in regard to the highway funds. As we reform it, we have to
reform the ability to deliver these projects in a timely
manner. And the Federal system just doesn't do it.
And that's just from 6 years of a mayor and meeting with
200 mayors this week. It's a big message. And I hope you will
look toward mayors also for your advice and get some good ideas
about how to deliver those projects.
Mr. LaHood. Can I just say something about local
government?
Senator Begich. Sure.
Mr. LaHood. You may know this, but in Los Angeles County
they just passed a referendum. The voters passed a referendum
to provide an enormous amount of money for infrastructure in
Los Angeles County. Now to me that's thinking outside the box.
Obviously, the local government leaders have a lot of
credibility with local tax-payers, and they're willing to raise
their taxes because of the very point that you're making. The
money never gets there because places like California and every
state has huge financial problems.
So the point is that--I know the Mayors and local elected
officials. We've heard from them and we know they're not happy.
But, as you know, President Obama wants to get this money out.
There is a mechanism to do that. It goes back to what Senator
Warner said we have to get the bureaucracy at DOT to make sure
that people are held accountable, that the money is spent
properly and it can get out the door and the people can be
working this summer.
And I know what you're saying though, Senator.
Senator Begich.--Watching the clock tick here. But we're
doing the largest in Anchorage, Alaska, the largest light
conversion project for street lights in the country. It will
save us about $1.6 million, a year in energy cost. The
investment will be paid back in 5 to 7 years. And would you be
willing to look at a national standard because the DOT's don't
do that. And there's a huge consumption of energy with street
lights throughout this country with Federal highway systems.
Would you be willing to look at a national standard that we
can consider implementing to create energy efficient lights on
all the highway systems?
Mr. LaHood. Yes, sir.
Senator Begich. Great. That's all. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Begich. I'm going to close
this now for two reasons. One, a vote started. The vote
incidentally is on the nomination of Senator Clinton who
evidently isn't going to get the same treatment that you are.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. And I want to say in my first opportunity to
chair at the Commerce Committee hearing, I could not be more
proud to have done so with you as the witness. You have an
ability to answer questions in such a straight ahead way.
You've been through it already. You understand in a cooperative
way because of the 30 years of experience with the legislature.
And I expect probably because of your own good DNA and good
humor and a lot of experience. I'm tremendously pleased about
you having been our first nominee.
Mr. LaHood. So am I, Senator. Thank you for the courtesies.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. OK. And with good luck you're already in
there.
[Laughter.]
Mr. LaHood. I like those words too, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. The hearing is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 4:16 p.m. the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John D. Rockefeller IV
to Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1a. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU)
will expire in September 2009. I believe that it is time to rethink the
purpose of our transportation programs and the proper Federal role in
administering and managing the programs moving forward. This is going
to be a major task that will require a strong leader, innovative
thinking, and close coordination with Congress. What are your thoughts
on developing a multimodal national transportation policy? Are you
prepared for this large task? Should you be confirmed, when can we
expect a surface transportation reauthorization proposal to be
submitted by the Department to the Congress?
Answer. As we approach reauthorization of the surface
transportation programs in the ``Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users,'' we need to ``think
outside the box,'' particularly as to future funding mechanisms. I
agree that new emphasis on a multimodal transportation policy
perspective is essential to renewing these programs and, if confirmed,
would hope to bring strong leadership, innovative thinking, and close
coordination with Congress to this undertaking. As I stated to Ranking
Member Hutchison at the nomination hearing, I hope to develop a
reauthorization proposal this year.
Question 1b. Today's Federal transportation programs lack
overarching goals or priorities and transportation funding is generally
distributed to states regardless of transportation outcomes. Do you
support moving to a more accountable, performance-based transportation
system that emphasizes getting more out of our transportation
investments? If so, what standards of performance would you support
using? Similarly, other countries (e.g., Britain, Canada) make choices
between different types of transportation investments based on the
projects' estimated cost-benefit ratios, which include a wide spectrum
of economic, social and environmental costs and benefits. Should we be
doing something similar in the U.S.?
Answer. A key challenge for those who craft the Nation's
transportation programs will be to link decision-making to performance
at all levels. This will require a new commitment to measure
performance, as called for by the National Surface Transportation
Policy and Revenue Commission's recent report. Performance measurement
is key to ensuring that new funding is invested wisely and that the
public has enough confidence in our work to support continued
investment.
Question 1c. The Federal Government currently spends more than 80
percent of surface transportation dollars on roads and related
infrastructure, with the balance going to public transportation,
intercity rail, bike, and pedestrian infrastructure. Given the Obama
Administration's concerns regarding energy supply and the rising demand
for alternatives to driving, do you support reconsidering this
distribution?
Answer. I am committed to supporting sound investment in our
transportation systems to maximize our resources, increase energy
efficiency, and provide greater accessibility, including innovative
approaches to achieve our goals. The balance of funding among the
surface transportation modes will be fundamental to the best investment
of our Federal transportation resources, going forward.
Question 2. What role do you see the Department playing in
developing mitigation and adaptation strategies for the Nation's
transportation infrastructure to respond to climate change? How will
the DOT work with other Federal agencies?
Answer. We must acknowledge the new reality of climate change. This
has implications in all areas. Sustainability must permeate all we do,
from highways and transit to aviation and ports. President Obama is
committed to this principle, and so am I. Making climate change a top
priority as well as dealing with other environmental concerns will
require a new level of attention to our transportation systems, as well
as a new mindset for the Department. Increased energy efficiency in our
vehicles and our passenger and freight transportation systems will
significantly alleviate the problem of greenhouse gases. When I was in
the House, I voted numerous times to raise the CAFE standards. I think
this is an important way for us to reduce emissions and I will do
everything I can to meet the deadlines.
Among the key challenges for effective mitigation strategies is the
development of close working relationships with other agencies whose
goals and programs interact with those of the Department of
Transportation--and this is something I will move quickly to accomplish
if confirmed.
Question 3a. Will you be a strong advocate for small community air
service?
Answer. I served for 14 years in the House of Representatives and
represented many communities that were lacking air service. I
understand the importance of air service to small communities.
Question 3b. Do you believe any changes need to be made to the
current Essential Air Service (EAS) program?
Question 3c. What can be done to make certain sufficient funding is
provided to EAS communities?
Question 3d. What steps will you take to make certain small and
isolated communities across the Nation have access to affordable air
service?
Answer. I believe that air service for small communities can help
serve as an economic engine. Although the new Administration's policy
on specifics of this nature is not yet established, if confirmed, I am
committed to working with this Committee to ensure that small
communities remain connected to the national air transportation system.
Question 4. The National Weather Service (NWS) provides the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) with weather forecasting services to make
sure that air traffic across the Nation receives adequate support. I
understand that the FAA has requested the NWS provide a proposal to
consolidate its Center Weather Service Units from 21 to two. I am
concerned that the potential consolidation initiative might not result
in the best model to meet aviation forecasting needs. Do you think it
would be appropriate for the NWS and the FAA to request a study on
aviation forecasting needs and options for improving services prior to
moving forward?
Answer. Before offering an opinion on this matter, I would need to
consult with the experts at the Federal Aviation Administration. That
said, I understand the criticality of having weather forecasting
services in place to support aviation needs.
Question 5. Current Federal law generally prohibits the use of
surface transportation funds within a port area. With aging port
infrastructure and projected waterborne transportation growth over the
next twenty years, do you believe a larger Federal role in the planning
and development of port infrastructure is appropriate?
Answer. The Department of Transportation is already leading port
modernization and expansion projects in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. Some
of the funding for these projects is through existing highway and
transit mechanisms, but it is very limited. Other opportunities exist
under the short sea transportation section of the 2007 Energy
Independence and Security Act, which mandated a new Marine Highway
Program. The program's objective is to shift freight and passengers
from our congested highways and railroads to water every place it is
practicable.
Question 6a. Annual large truck crash deaths remain shockingly
high, totaling around 5,000. What can the Congress do to make the most
immediate improvements in truck safety?
Answer. I am concerned about truck crash deaths. As I said in my
opening statement, my first goal is safety on the roads, on the rails,
in the air, and on the water. The Federal Government clearly plays an
important role in preventing truck crash deaths. I believe the upcoming
reauthorization of the surface transportation bill will provide an
opportunity to ensure the Department has the authority it needs to
conduct effective oversight of the motor carrier industry and the
resources it needs to continue its successful partnerships with State
law enforcement and motor vehicle administrators to implement
commercial motor vehicle safety programs.
Question 6b. What do you believe is the best way for the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration to improve its oversight and
enforcement over the trucking industry?
Answer. I believe the best way for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) to improve its oversight and enforcement of the
trucking industry is to maintain and strengthen a rigorous enforcement
program in conjunction with State partners. This includes targeting
high risk carriers for compliance reviews, maintaining a strong
roadside inspection program, working with States to ensure unsafe
carriers receive vehicle registration sanctions, and targeting unsafe
carriers through a more comprehensive safety measurement system and a
performance-based safety fitness standard.
Question 6c. Where do you see the role of new technology, such as
electronic on board recorders, in improving motor carrier safety?
Answer. I see a role for current and emerging technology in
improving safety on our highways. Safety is the top priority at the
Department of Transportation. Perhaps the most important influence on
improving heavy truck and bus safety in the future rests with
integrating smart technologies like on-board safety devices to improve
driver performance. This is an area I want to thoroughly explore.
Question 7. The DOT and its authority to regulate fuel economy is
specifically crafted for the agency to maximize fuel economy while
taking other very significant factors into account, including the
safety of the passenger fleet and the financial stability of the
automobile industry. This authority and expertise is vital in achieving
our goals to decrease the greenhouse gas footprint of the
transportation sector. How do you plan to use the DOT's leadership and
authority in the CAFE program in working with the Environmental
Protection Agency and its authority to regulate greenhouse gas
emissions? What synergies do you see being developed between the
agencies to improve your authority and the CAFE program?
Answer. I believe a management emphasis of the new Administration
is to stress inter-agency coordination, such as should be the case with
Clean Air Act and automotive fuel-economy regulations, to a greater
extent than has been the case in the past. President Obama is committed
to ensuring that the Administration's transportation policy furthers
his goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote livable
communities, and so am I. If confirmed, I would expect to work closely
with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that fuel economy is
improved and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced in a responsible,
consistent, and effective manner.
Question 8a. Do you support the Jones Act?
Answer. I support the Jones Act. Reserving domestic waterborne
transportation to U.S.-flag, U.S.-built, and U.S.-citizen owned and
U.S.-crewed vessels ensures the availability of U.S.-flag vessels in an
emergency. The Jones Act fleet is an important link in the national
transportation infrastructure, and its ships can carry an uninterrupted
flow of vital commodities necessary to our troops while avoiding
disruptions to our economy and industrial base.
Question 8b. What steps do you believe the Department could take to
assist in educating other Federal agencies about the importance of the
Jones Act to our national security and to ensure the enforcement of the
law?
Answer. Congress amended the law in 2008 to require that the
Maritime Administration (MARAD) be consulted about the availability of
U.S.-flag vessels before any national security waiver of the law is
granted. This new consultation role for MARAD will enable the agency to
work more closely with other Federal agencies to ensure the law is
enforced. By working more closely with MARAD, other Federal agencies
will become better acquainted with the importance of the Jones Act
fleet to our defense and economy.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Daniel Inouye to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1a. Several safety concerns have been raised regarding
Hawaii's air transportation system. One issue is the aging
infrastructure used for air traffic control. Both the facilities within
which the air traffic controllers work and much of the equipment they
depend on, such as radars, are decades old and are in need of
replacement. Concerns have also been raised specifically about the
airspace around Kona. Air traffic controllers have identified several
incidents where operational errors have led to the near misses of
aircraft, raising questions about how well the airspace is being
managed. Finally, there have been several accidents involving air tour
helicopters. The National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB)
investigations of these helicopter accidents have led to several
recommendations, including better oversight of air tour operators and
the installations of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)
throughout the islands. National trends in runway incursions and
operational errors suggest the FAA must take immediate action to reduce
the possibility of a catastrophic accident. What steps do you believe
the Administration should take in the next year to bring down the
number of near-misses that the system is experiencing?
Answer. I can assure you that transportation safety will remain the
top priority for the Department if I am confirmed, and DOT will be
focused on improving safety across the board. Before offering specific
plans to improve aviation safety, I will consult with the experts at
the Federal Aviation Administration, and get the benefit of the
perspective of a new FAA Administrator.
Question 1b. Although FAA has taken important steps to modernize
the air traffic control system, there is no clear schedule for the
implementation of NextGen, nor a good idea of when the system will
start to see the benefits of key technologies, such as ADS-B. Given
Hawaii's unique terrain and unpredictable weather patterns, air traffic
control (ATC) modernization would be particularly beneficial for our
state.
Answer. NextGen will be a priority for the Department. The
Department should be committed to NextGen implementation within
realistic benchmarks, working closely with Congress and all the
stakeholders to develop milestones for the delivery of key
technologies.
Question 1c. How soon do you expect that the FAA will be able to
fully implement NextGen across the nation, and in Hawaii? What
resources do you need to expedite the implementation of NextGen?
Answer. NextGen is a priority for the Nation. I can assure you
that, if confirmed, I will be personally focused on implementation--
working closely with the FAA to expeditiously develop timelines for
full implementation and to determine the resources it needs to be
successful.
Question 2a. In the past year there have been a few incidents where
commercial aircraft have made emergency landings because pilots
suspected smoke in the cockpit. This has raised concerns about the
adequacy of current safety measures in the event an aircraft's cockpit
completely filled with smoke, obscuring the pilots' vision, and
inhibiting their ability to fly the plane. What safety measures are
currently in place to prevent an aircraft's cockpit from filling with
smoke?
Answer. I am told there are numerous systems and procedures in
place to both prevent, and mitigate the effects of, smoke in the
cockpit. Airplane design requirements enable the flight crew to use the
ventilation system to evacuate smoke from the cockpit. The crew can
also change the source of ventilation if the smoke is originating from
outside the flight deck.
Question 2b. Are there safety measures in place to help ensure
pilots can continue to operate the aircraft if the cockpit fills with
smoke?
Answer. I am told that all cockpits have emergency equipment that
includes oxygen masks for breathing, smoke goggles that allow pilots to
see the instruments, and fire extinguishers Also, each crew has a
specific checklist in case of smoke, fire, or fumes designed to
maintain control of the aircraft while isolating and mitigating the
source of the malfunction.
Question 3a. Many reports show that within the next 20-30 years,
the United States can expect huge increases in population, congestion,
and global trade. Freight flows are expected to double within this same
timeframe. Despite this, the Department of Transportation has failed to
develop a comprehensive national strategy or policy for freight
movement to prepare the transportation system to guide investments to
meet these future demands. Nor has the Department proposed possible
financing mechanism for needed freight infrastructure improvements. The
Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recommended
that both freight fees and public-private partnerships form the basis
of a new Federal freight investment program. With freight flows
expected to double over the next 20 to 30 years, I believe it would
serve the Nation well to develop a national freight policy to guide
investment in freight infrastructure to meet these increased demands.
The Bush Administration made little progress in developing such a plan.
What are your thoughts on the need for a national freight policy and
investment strategy?
Answer. I do believe we need a national freight policy that
approaches freight transportation as a seamless system of goods and
product movement from port of entry, whether that be a seaport, an
energy platform in the Gulf of Mexico, or a factory or farm, to place
of destination. Only by maximizing all of our transportation options
and streamlining freight movement can we save commuters time, and the
Nation energy.
Question 3b. Do you support freight or user fees as a mechanism to
finance freight-related improvements to port, rail, and highway
infrastructure as well as intermodal facilities?
Answer. As we approach reauthorization of the surface
transportation programs, we need to ``think outside the box,''
particularly as to future funding mechanisms. We need to reexamine
current fuel excise taxes, and we need to identify additional revenue
resources for surface transportation programs, including mechanisms to
finance freight-related improvements. As Secretary, I would explore
innovative financing techniques. We need to be creative and, if
confirmed, I would look forward to hearing from all affected parties.
Question 4. In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Department of Defense
Authorization Act you included language to clarify that cargo
preference laws apply to any person or organization receiving Federal
funding, unless they are otherwise exempted. This clarification
eliminates confusion over the application of cargo preference and will
provide the Secretary of Transportation with the appropriate
enforcement authority for administrative oversight of cargo preference
laws. The Department of Transportation now needs an improved method to
track Federal contracts that involve the waterborne transportation of
cargo. Until such an information technology system is developed,
enforcement will continue to be on an ad hoc basis. In last year's
Department of Defense Authorization Act, we included a provision to
enhance the Secretary's enforcement authority of our Nation's cargo
preference laws. You now have the responsibility to execute these
changes and administer the program. Do you believe it would be helpful
to establish a better methodology to track Federal contracts that
involve the waterborne transportation of cargo under Federal contract
to assist you in effectively enforcing the law?
Answer. An improved method to track Federal contracts that involve
the waterborne transportation of cargo would no doubt benefit many
aspects of government, including enforcing the cargo preference laws.
The new law will enhance enforcement of cargo preference laws.
Question 5. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is the lead Federal
agency responsible for assisting states and localities in addressing
their port infrastructure modernization goals. The MARAD provides
Federal oversight and coordination of projects, acts as a central
procurement office to facilitate the leveraging Federal and non-Federal
funding resources, and streamlines the environmental review and
permitting process. Currently, the MARAD is managing port modernization
programs in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam.
The Maritime Administration is assisting my home state of Hawaii
with addressing port modernization planning, environmental assessments,
and construction by acting as a coordinator between other Federal
agencies. Similar projects are ongoing in Alaska and now Guam. We have
been very pleased with this program thus far. What role do you believe
the Department of Transportation should play to assist ports in
addressing their complex demands in order to make the movement of goods
more efficient, while also reducing congestion and pollution?
Answer. I am pleased to know of your support for the Maritime
Administration's work on port modernization. Other U.S. ports have
requested similar support to that in Hawaii to help them meet capacity
and infrastructure demands, several of which are ports that are
designated as Strategic Ports that accommodate military cargoes in
times of emergency. The agency's Gateway Offices, its day-to-day
presence at the ports, can help bring agency and departmental expertise
to the table for other local port projects.
Question 6. According to press reports, Hawaii's per-capita
fatality rate for 2006 due to alcohol-related vehicle crashes ranked
among the top three in the United States. In the same vein, a December
2008 news article reported that the number of Oahu drunken driving
arrests through October of 2008 was on course to reach a nine-year
high. The improvement of programs intended to reduce drunk driving and
State highway grant reform are among the issues that will be
incorporated into the next surface transportation reauthorization bill
under the Committee's jurisdiction. The reduction of impaired driving
is a primary mission to be undertaken in the next surface
transportation reauthorization bill. What new strategies will you
deploy to address the recidivist drunk driver?
Answer. I agree with you that a focus on the recidivist drunk
driver should be central to new strategies to deploy in the fight for
reduced highway fatalities overall. While the new Administration's
policy on specifics of this nature is not yet established, I would, if
confirmed, be pleased to advise you of developments in this policy
area.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Kerry to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. Our congested roadways and skies continue to serve as a
drain on our economy and are likely to only get more congested. The
National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission
laid out a bold new vision for transportation policy, and High-Speed
Rail figured prominently in their recommendations. However our rail
infrastructure remains dramatically inferior to most other developed
countries, with only a few miles of true high-speed rail anywhere in
the country. Do you believe high-speed rail can offer a fast, safe, and
reliable means to travel between major city centers? Do you believe we
need to rethink how we approach passenger rail in this country, and
invest significantly in developing true world class high-speed rail?
Would investment in high-speed rail help stimulate the economy and
create jobs? Should investment in high-speed rail be part of an
economic recovery package?
Answer. At this time, the new Administration's policy on specifics
of this nature is not yet established. However, the recently enacted
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 authorizes a new
high speed rail development program along with new authorizations for
Amtrak's operating and capital needs and an intercity passenger rail
service corridor capital assistance program. If I am confirmed I will
work to effectively implement the new legislation.
Question 2. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's
(NHTSA) draft fuel economy rule under the Energy Independence and
Security Act (EISA) of 2007 demonstrates that the agency continues to
be mired in incremental changes to fuel economy using flawed gas and
carbon prices and over-estimated technology costs. Congress explicitly
provided that a 35-miler-per-gallon standard in 2020 was a floor not a
ceiling. The Bush Administration has not finalized its proposed rule.
How do you anticipate moving forward to create a more robust standard
setting process that can achieve President Obama's critical oil savings
and global warming goals?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that final CAFE
standards are consistent with the best available information, including
information on gas and carbon prices and on technology costs.
Question 3. Last year President Bush authorized $17.5 million in
loan guarantees to GM and Chrysler. While these loans required limits
in executive compensation and the sale of corporate jets, they did not
guarantee any oil savings or reduced global warming pollution. Will you
work with the Treasury Secretary to ensure that any additional
financial assistance to the auto industry is clearly tied to exceeding
fuel economy standards?
Answer. If confirmed, I would work with the Treasury Secretary and
the other involved Administration officials in crafting any further
financial assistance to serve the best interests of the Nation as a
whole.
Question 4. In the near future the Federal transportation program
will be up for reauthorization. While the bulk of transportation bill
spending has traditionally gone to new road and highway construction,
the bill also funds our transit system and other forms of non-driving
transportation. Will you work to ensure that a much larger share of
resources are devoted to public transportation, walking, biking, and
other forms of transportation that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
enhance communities?
Answer. Our transportation system and the development it enables
must be sustainable. We must acknowledge the new reality of climate
change. This has implications in all areas. The intercity rail and mass
transit funding in the Administration's economic recovery plan are part
of the equation, but only a part. Sustainability must permeate all that
we do, from highways and transit to aviation and ports. The
Administration is also committed to focus on people and communities
where they live and work. This implies a commitment to the principles
that some refer to as livability--that is, investing in ways that
respect the unique character of each community. The era of one-size-
fits-all transportation projects must give way to one where preserving
and enhancing unique community characteristics are primary goals,
rather than an afterthought. President Obama is committed to ensuring
that the Administration's transportation policy furthers his goal to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote livable communities, and so
am I.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Barbara Boxer to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. I re-introduced my Passenger Bill of Rights legislation
along with my colleague, Senator Snowe, to prevent airline passengers
from being stranded on the tarmac for hours without food, water,
adequate restroom facilities or medical attention. Will you commit to
working with us to pass and implement our passenger bill of rights
legislation this year?
Answer. I recognize this as an important issue and am aware that
the Department has proposed rules to ensure adequate food, water, and
restroom facilities for passengers during lengthy tarmac delays. I
understand that the House also may be introducing a bill on this issue
as part of a broader FAA reauthorization package. If confirmed, I fully
intend to work with both the Senate and House to ensure that
appropriate passenger protections are in place. An aviation system that
focuses not only on the safety and confidence of the traveling public,
but also their comfort during lengthy tarmac delays, is a successful
one.
Question 2. Southern California TRACON continues to experience
numerous air traffic controller retirements. Air traffic controllers at
Southern California TRACON continue to tell me the facility is
understaffed and undertrained. Would you elaborate on how you would
resolve the current contract dispute between NATCA and FAA? Will you
commit to reviewing the situation at Southern California Tracon and
take appropriate action as warranted?
Answer. I know the FAA is focused on hiring new controllers to
replace the retiring workforce and, as I said earlier, I am committed
to finding an Administrator who will come to the job and work with
Congress and the controllers, and resolve contract disputes as quickly
as possible.
Question 3. Last September, 25 people died and many more were
injured when a commuter rail train collided with a freight train in
Chatsworth, California. Following the tragedy, I worked along with
Senator Feinstein and my colleagues on the Senate Commerce committee to
pass legislation requiring the use of Positive Train Control (PTC) on
all track shared by commuter and freight rail. Freight rail has
committed to implementing positive train control in the Los Angeles
basin by 2012, however, the cost of implementing PTC for commuter rail
remains high. Where do you rank the implementation of Positive Train
Control on high density commuter/freight corridors as a priority for
DOT? Will you commit to working with us to implement Positive Train
Control in Southern California by 2012? What can Congress do to help
assist with the quick installation of PTC?
Answer. If I am confirmed, safety will continue to be the first
priority of the Department, and I will make it a priority to carry out
the Department's responsibilities under the recently enacted rail
safety reauthorization legislation--the Rail Safety Improvement Act of
2008, including the provisions related to the mandate that certain
railroads implement PTC on certain lines by the end of 2015. My
understanding is that the Federal Railroad Administration has already
been in active conversation with the railroads operating in the region
(Metrolink, Amtrak, Union Pacific, and BNSF), and all of those parties
will be participating through FRA's Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
to address PTC issues. If confirmed, I look forward to working with
Congress to ensure that this and other safety issues are successfully
addressed.
Question 4. Efficient goods movement is an issue that challenges
our ports and our communities. It is not uncommon for residents
throughout California to sit at a railroad crossing for as long as 45
minutes waiting for a single train to pass. Do you believe we need a
national freight program? How do you see a freight program working
within DOT's current transportation programs and policy?
Answer. I do believe we need a national freight policy that
approaches freight transportation as a seamless system of goods and
product movement from port of entry, whether that be a seaport, an
energy platform in the Gulf of Mexico, or a factory or farm, to place
of destination. Only by maximizing all of our transportation options
and streamlining freight movement can we save commuters time, and the
Nation energy.
Question 5. There is a great appetite for reform in MAP-21.
Separate programs and institutional arrangements for highways, transit,
and rail have stymied mobility and innovation in the past. Can you
share your thoughts as to how to bring the strengths of these
individual surface modes of transport together to serve our Nation's
needs?
Answer. I believe that we need a focus on at least four areas to
implement President Obama's national priorities for transportation--
economic health, sustainability, safety, and meeting the needs of
people and communities. Transportation is a critical part of the
economy, and we must ensure that our transportation system supports
efficient movement of people and goods. I agree that, as the
Administration develops proposals for the next transportation
authorization, we must consider ways to make transportation funding
programs flexible enough to support the modal or intermodal solution
that best meets transportation needs. Improving intermodal connections
and reducing congestion will be an important part of that. Proposals
for a new surface transportation authorization will need to continue
programs that make progress toward a safer transportation system. Our
transportation programs should support more environmentally
sustainable, healthier communities through continued efforts to
integrate transportation planning and environmental planning.
Question 6. What priority would you give environmental issues when
formulating our Nation's transportation agenda? What role do you see
the environment playing in our Nation's long-term transportation
policy?
Answer. Our transportation system and the development and economic
activity it enables must be sustainable. Sustainability must permeate
all we do, from highways and transit to aviation and ports. President
Obama is committed to this principle and so am I. The environment is an
area where the Department contributes to national goals and where I see
a unique set of challenges. Making climate change a top priority as
well as dealing with other environmental concerns will require a new
level of attention for our transportation systems as well as a new
mindset for the Department. Increased energy efficiency in our vehicles
and our passenger and freight transportation systems will significantly
alleviate the problem of greenhouse gases. Among the key challenges
here is the development of close working relationships with other
Cabinet agencies whose goals and programs overlap with those of the
Department of Transportation.
Question 7. In Massachusetts v. EPA, the Supreme Court held that
there was no conflict between EPA regulation of carbon dioxide
emissions from automobiles under the Clean Air Act, and NHTSA
regulation of vehicle fuel economy under EPCA. Relying on
Massachusetts, two Federal district courts have since held that there
is similarly no such conflict between NHTSA regulation of fuel economy
under EPCA and California's regulation of CO2 emissions from
automobiles under its Clean Air Act authority.
Nevertheless, NHTSA heretofore has taken the position in its
proposed CAFE rulemaking that such a conflict exists, and thus the
tailpipe emission standards adopted by California and 14 other states
under the Clean Air Act are preempted by EPCA. Please confirm that
during your review of the proposed CAFE rule you will reconsider, in
light of the courts' decisions, NHTSA's position on this question, and
abide by the decisions?
Answer. I believe a management emphasis of the new Administration
is to stress inter-agency coordination, such as should be the case with
Clean Air Act and automotive fuel-economy regulations, to a greater
extent than has been the case in the past. President Obama is committed
to ensuring that the Administration's transportation policy furthers
his goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote livable
communities, and so am I. If confirmed, I would expect to work closely
with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that fuel economy is
improved and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced in a responsible,
consistent, and effective manner.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Congressman LaHood,
welcome. I join my colleagues in applauding your distinguished record.
As has been mentioned here today, there are a number of challenges
facing us within the Department of Transportation's venue. I hope you
will place strong emphasis on implementing CAFE standards and NextGen,
on helping to develop a highway bill that fairly allocates funds, and
on being creative in the ways we may strengthen our investments in
public transit and rail systems. I would also look forward to working
with you and other committee members on finding ways DOT can help to
make electric vehicle technologies a nationwide reality.
Thank you for visiting with us today, and for your willingness to
address these priorities.
My colleagues have already mentioned the importance of implementing
CAFE standards, including the interim model year 2011 standards that
the previous administration did not complete. As you know, NHTSA will
use an estimate of gas prices to determine cost-effectiveness in the
MY2011 standard, so that the potential expense of buying a more fuel-
efficient vehicle is balanced by the consumers' savings in gas.
Last month the Energy Information Administration (EIA) revised its
projections for what gas will cost through 2030, finding much higher
prices than were previously predicted. If NHTSA used these new, more
realistic estimates in its cost-effectiveness calculations, we will
likely see higher--but still feasible--interim CAFE standards. Cong.
LaHood, will you direct NHTSA to use EIA's latest gas price projections
in its CAFE standard calculations?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that final CAFE
standards are consistent with the best available information, including
information on gas prices.
Question 2. Electric vehicle (EV) technologies promise fuel economy
gains, energy security benefits and carbon emissions reductions that
far surpass those of even the most efficient internal combustion
engines. We are in a race with many countries around the globe to
develop not only electric vehicles themselves, but also the pioneering
battery and component technologies that will make the transition to
EV's a reality. By developing and manufacturing these technologies here
in the U.S., we can maximize the economic benefit associated with
transitioning away from our fossil fuel dependence--and create
``green'' jobs. Cong. LaHood, under your leadership, what role would
the Department of Transportation play in trying to help incentivize
investment in transportation electrification infrastructure necessary
to support the market for EVs? Will you work with Congress to ensure
this is a priority in upcoming transportation legislation?
Answer. I am committed to environmental gains and reduced carbon
dioxide emissions, and alternative-fueled vehicles can play a major
role in accomplishing these goals in the transportation sector. If
confirmed, I plan to work closely with Congress, the Department of
Energy, and other involved parties to ensure that our CAFE standards
encourage and do not inhibit electric-vehicle developments.
Question 3. I appreciate your indications that you will make
implementing NextGen a top priority. Do we have your commitment that
you will work with this committee to expeditiously develop a timeline
for implementation?
Answer. I agree that NextGen is absolutely critical and I am
committed to working with this committee to develop implementation
timelines.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1a. Congressman LaHood, one of your most immediate and
most important decisions if you are confirmed as Transportation
Secretary regards how the Department chooses to implement the landmark
fuel economy increases enacted into law over a year ago. I am concerned
that the draft CAFE rule used an inaccurate set of assumptions when
coming up with their cost-benefit calculations, and therefore failed to
meet the maximum feasible standard set in 2007 Energy Bill. Are you
aware that the CAFE increase law that Congress enacted passed in
December 2007 requires the Transportation Department to set CAFE levels
at the ``maximum feasible'' level, not just 35 miles per gallon by
2020?
Answer. Yes. It is the case that the 35 mile-per-gallon figure is
only a minimum statutory requirement.
Question 1b. Please comment on whether you believe each of these
assumptions in the draft CAFE rule are accurate and appropriate:
(i) That the price of gas will be $2.26 a gallon in 2016;
(ii) That hybrid cars will only be available in showrooms
starting in 2014;
(iii) That there will be no commercially available plug in
electric vehicles before 2015 (despite automaker advertisements
and likely government purchase and production incentives); and
(iv) That NHTSA's estimated value of $7 per ton of carbon
dioxide is likely to be found arbitrary and capricious based on
what peer-reviewed literature concludes will be the true costs
and benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Question 1c. In Congressional testimony last year, EIA
Administrator Guy Caruso testified that NHTSA should use EIA's high gas
price scenario in its CAFE rulemaking. Last July, I introduced a bill
that would require the Transportation Department adopt the EIA's ``high
gas price scenario'' which would provide a more realistic assumption of
future gas prices. Do you believe using EIA's high gas price scenario
will provide Americans with a better insurance policy against future
oil price increases and provide a more realistic assumption of what
future gas prices will be?
Question 1d. Recent NHTSA analysis shows a 35 mpg CAFE standard in
2015 is technically feasible, but it's only cost effective if gas
prices range from $2.77 to $3.16 over the next decade. Will you take
into account the new data in the Energy Information Administration's
forecast report, Annual Energy Outlook 2009 Early Release, which
forecasts that gasoline prices will rise each year after 2009,
eventually reaching $3.90 per gallon in 2030?
Answer. I am confident the new Administration will move quickly to
address CAFE requirements. If confirmed, I will work to ensure final
CAFE standards are consistent with the best available information,
including information on gas prices, carbon emissions and new
technology.
Question 2. Congressman LaHood, on February 13, 2004, NHTSA issued
a memorandum with the subject line ``Final Economic Assessment
Alternative Fueled Vehicles Part 538'' (NHTSA-01-10774-37). On page 10
of that memo, it says that the cost of making a vehicle duel fuel
capable for E85 would ``increase consumer cost of a vehicle by $100 to
$200 (in $2000).'' Is that estimate still accurate? How have changes
that automakers made to fueling components to meet unrelated emission
standards affected the marginal costs of making a car duel fuel
capable. What is the marginal cost of making a vehicle M85 capable, in
other words able to run on any blend of up to 85 percent methanol? What
is the marginal cost of making a typical passenger vehicle or heavy
duty-truck capable of running on any percentage blend of biodiesel?
Answer. I do not have a basis at this time to address the specific
``dual-fuel capability'' issues you raise, but I agree that the ability
to make use of alternate fuels is a very central element of our
Nation's ability to wean ourselves from over-reliance on foreign
petroleum sources. If confirmed, I would be pleased to keep you advised
of developments of the assumptions used in this area.
Question 3. Congressman LaHood, will the new Administration support
the current Federal laws on foreign ownership and control of a domestic
air carrier? In those cases where the ownership structure of a domestic
air carrier is the subject of dispute or challenge during the initial
certification proceeding, do you agree that transparency in DOT's
review of the carrier's ongoing compliance (post-certification) with
U.S. foreign ownership and control laws is required in order to assure
the public and Congress that the laws are being followed?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that current Federal
law on air carrier ownership and control is carried out. The new
Administration's policy on specifics in this area has not yet been
established but, if confirmed, I would be pleased to keep you informed
of relevant developments.
Question 4a. Congressman LaHood, as you know the Next Generation
Air Traffic Control System has not progressed as quickly as Congress
would like. When we met, you told me that you are going to make this
one of your priorities as Secretary. One of the goals of the Next
Generation Air Traffic Control Joint Planning Development Office is to
encourage coordination between the Departments of Transportation,
Defense, Homeland Security, and other relevant agencies. The
coordination has not been as unified as many of us as hoped. Getting
these joint offices to function properly is a management challenge that
sometime requires the Secretarial leadership to resolve thorny issues
before they become intractable. Can we count on you to make sure that
NextGen efforts are coordinated across the participating agencies and
that you will get involved in moving NextGen efforts forward if things
start getting bogged down?
Answer. If confirmed, NextGen will be a priority for me and for the
Department, and improved coordination among the participating Federal
agencies a primary objective. Implementation must be accomplished
within realistic benchmarks, and there must be a commitment from the
Department, Congress, and all the stakeholders--including other Federal
agencies--to ensure that it moves forward expeditiously.
Question 4b. Given the cost, complexity, and importance of the
program, I believe it is critical for you to be able track the real
progress of NextGen to ensure that the program is meeting the
objectives and meeting the needs of our country. As you know, often
measures of progress are more focused on effort rather than outcomes.
Will you agree to developing and publishing metrics that show NextGen's
progress?
Answer. I agree that meaningful metrics are absolutely critical
and, if confirmed, I will ensure that we implement a transparent
reporting process to track NextGen's progress.
Question 5. Congressman LaHood, we must look for ways to reduce
emissions within our air transportation system. Given that studies show
there are inefficiencies equaling around twelve percent in the current
system, will you commit to finding air traffic management solutions
that increase efficiencies and reduce emissions?
Answer. Absolutely. I understand a key priority of the NextGen Plan
is reducing the air transportation system's environmental footprint.
There are a comprehensive set of initiatives using new air traffic
management capabilities, enhanced aircraft technology, and low-carbon
fuel that if implemented fully will allow U.S. aviation to grow while
reducing its emissions.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Frank Lautenberg to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. As Secretary of Transportation under a new
Administration, will you end Federal Highways Administration's practice
of withholding highway funds to states that are attempting to address
corruption scandals through pay-to-play reforms of the government
contracting process, particularly in Illinois and New Jersey?
Answer. I believe we must always adhere to the highest ethical
standards in all our dealings. I have been told that the Federal
Highway Administration's concern with certain State ethics reform
legislation to address ``pay-to-play,'' including reform legislation in
Illinois and New Jersey is based on interpretation of a provision in
title 23 of the United States Code. I am further told that the title 23
provision is intended to assure free and open competition for Federal-
aid contracts, and that it prohibits State and local governments from
adopting requirements for contractors that do not relate directly to
the contractors' abilities to perform work under Federal-aid contracts.
Other Federal law, of course, does prohibit corrupt practices,
including bribery for example, in connection with Federal-aid
contracts. Nevertheless, I will look into this matter further, and I
will take such steps as may be necessary to assure that U.S. DOT is not
unnecessarily standing in the way of needed State ethics reform.
Question 2. The newly hired air traffic controllers who are just
beginning their careers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
are the future of Aviation Safety. Will you see to it that they have
the chance to train with experienced controllers by doing everything in
your power to stem the flow of veteran controllers from the FAA work
force, beginning by returning to the bargaining table to reach
collective bargaining agreement with NATCA--one that can be ratified by
the union?
Answer. I am committed to finding an FAA Administrator who will
come to the job and work with Congress and the controllers, and resolve
issues as quickly as possible. Addressing labor-management issues at
the FAA is a key priority of mine.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tom Udall to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. Our nation's transportation system is currently
undergoing a major shift and will continue to do so throughout the 21st
century. In cities across this country, people are being urged to
utilize public transportation systems, and ridership of these systems
is continuing to grow. However, in many communities across this nation,
public transportation is still not available. How will you work to see
that our transportation systems are modernized and the availability of
these systems improve? For these areas where public transportation is
logistically difficult, how will you work to see that their
transportation needs are addressed?
Answer. Too many of our Nation's railways, highways, bridges,
airports, and neighborhood streets are slowly decaying due to lack of
investment and strategic long-term planning. President Obama believes
that America's long-term competitiveness depends on the stability of
our critical infrastructure. The Administration will make strengthening
our transportation systems a top priority. The Administration is also
committed to focusing on people and communities where they live and
work. This implies a commitment to the principles that some refer to as
livability--that is, investing in ways that respect the unique
character of each community. The era of one-size-fits-all
transportation projects must give way to one where preserving and
enhancing unique community characteristics are primary goals, rather
than an afterthought. And I intend to make livable communities a big
part of what we are going to do under reauthorization, should I be
confirmed.
Question 2. As a Representative of a rural district, you bring
vital experience addressing the transportation needs of our rural
residents. How are you going to use this experience toward addressing
the extremely critical transportation needs of rural America?
Answer. The Administration is committed to focusing on people and
communities where they live and work, including rural communities. This
implies a commitment to the principles that some refer to as
livability--that is, investing in ways that respect the unique
character of each community. The era of one-size-fits-all
transportation projects must give way to one where preserving and
enhancing unique community characteristics are primary goals, rather
than an afterthought. And I intend to make livable communities a big
part of what we are going to do under reauthorization, if confirmed.
The Department is currently exploring options for reauthorization, and
I am committed to working with Congress to enact surface transportation
legislation that moves the country forward.
Question 3. Given that the Highway Trust Fund has solvency issues,
what measures will you this Administration take in order to assure that
adequate funding is maintained in order for the Federal Government to
meet the continued need for infrastructure improvements?
Answer. As we approach reauthorization of the surface
transportation programs, we need to ``think outside the box,''
particularly as to future funding mechanisms. We need to reexamine
current fuel excise taxes, and we need to identify additional revenue
resources for surface transportation programs. Innovative financing
techniques need to be further explored. I would also look to the
comprehensive analyses of the two major Commissions established by
SAFETEA-LU as the new Administration shapes proposals for our
transportation future.
Question 4. Railroad safety issues continue to be a significant
issue across the country, particularly highway grade crossings and
shared use of track by freight and passenger rail systems.
Unfortunately, Federal funding for safety measures has historically
been grossly insufficient to meet these safety needs. What actions will
you take to address rail safety?
Answer. If I am confirmed, I will see to it that the Federal
Railroad Administration continues to focus its inspection, enforcement,
and research efforts where they are most likely to reduce the number
and severity of railroad accidents. I will also make sure that FRA
carries out the numerous new safety requirements recently mandated by
the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
Question 5. Ridership on commuter rail systems across the country
has been continuously growing to meet passenger demand, particularly
since the dramatic fluctuation of gasoline costs. What actions will you
pursue to provide funding for commuter rail operations?
Answer. I recognize that commuter rail operations across the
country provide riders with an important transportation alternative. I
am also aware that the Federal Government has often been an important
source of funding for commuter rail operations. If confirmed, I look
forward to working with Congress on this and other important
transportation funding issues.
Question 6. Within this country, transportation is one of the
largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. We know that any work on
climate change policy must include input and action by the Department.
How do you see the DOT working to address this issue? What do you see
as the role that you and the DOT will play in climate change policy
changes?
Answer. Our transportation system and the development it enables
must be sustainable. We must acknowledge the new reality of climate
change. This has implications in all areas, including the Department's
responsibility for setting automotive fuel-economy standards that also
significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The intercity rail and
mass transit funding in the Administration's economic recovery plan are
part of the equation, but only a part. Sustainability must permeate all
that we do, from highways and transit to aviation and ports. The
Administration is also committed to focusing on people and communities
where they live and work. This implies a commitment to the principles
that some refer to as livability--that is, investing in ways that
respect the unique character of each community. The era of one-size-
fits-all transportation projects must give way to one where preserving
and enhancing unique community characteristics are primary goals,
rather than an afterthought. President Obama is committed to ensuring
that the Administration's transportation policy furthers his goal to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote livable communities, and so
am I.
Question 7. You sponsored a bill in the 105th Congress regarding
motor fuel taxes on tribal lands and the infrastructure needs of these
communities. Specifically your bill prohibited the Secretary of
Transportation from allocating funding for public lands highways on
tribal lands unless that tribal entity has entered into an agreement
with the state to provide procedures for the payment and collection of
motor fuel taxes unless the allocation of funds is essential to the
construction of a road that is a critical component of the National
Highway System and is essential to interstate commerce. What is your
position on improving the aging and insufficient roads on tribal lands?
How will the Department work with these communities to see that their
infrastructure needs are addressed? Do you still in believe that the
Secretary should require tribal entities to enter into agreements with
state governments?
Answer. I believe improving roads, bridges, and other
transportation infrastructure across the Nation will be a top priority
for the new Administration, and that certainly encompasses roads on
tribal lands. The Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) program is an
important component of the Federal-aid highway program. If confirmed, I
would expect to be working cooperatively with tribal governments,
through the IRR program, to address infrastructure challenges on tribal
lands.
For most issues involved in fuel taxation agreements, win-win
solutions are possible. Respect for tribal sovereignty and economic
development on tribal lands is important, and not counter to State
interests. Both States and tribes can benefit from a cooperative
relationship, and I understand that a number of States and tribes have
already entered into agreements for collection of fuel taxes to their
mutual benefit.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Mark Begich to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question . Representative LaHood--The White House recently issued a
new Arctic Policy that included a new emphasis on Arctic
transportation, highlighting the Maritime Administration's
responsibility to protect maritime commerce in the Arctic and the
Arctic environment. As we see more and more summers of an ice-free
Arctic, the need for new investments in Arctic navigation, safety and
security measures, and new vessel standards will be needed. Other
countries--Russia and Canada to be specific--are already far ahead of
the United States in development and exploration of the Arctic region.
In Alaska, many of our northern coastal communities are ill-prepared
for either increased shipping or increased development in the region.
Representative LaHood, do I have your commitment that your
Department, especially the Maritime Administration, will make it a
priority to ensure that Arctic shipping lanes off the Alaska coast are
equipped with the highest level of navigation, emergency response, and
security equipment and expertise so the we can move forward to develop
our Arctic resources without jeopardizing the very fragile Arctic
environment?
Answer. The national priorities for maritime transportation in the
Arctic region should address safe, secure, and reliable navigation, the
protection of maritime commerce, and the protection of the environment.
The Maritime Administration is currently overseeing a three-year,
ongoing project called the Arctic Maritime Shipping Assessment. This
project will address issues such as safe and secure maritime
navigation, search and rescue issues, the protection of maritime
commerce and environment, the development of the necessary
infrastructure to support these initiatives, and the welfare and impact
on existing communities in the Arctic area. If confirmed, I commit to
working, in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland Security (who
oversees the U.S. Coast Guard) and other appropriate agencies, to
ensure that any development of maritime trade and commerce utilizing
the Arctic as a trade route will be implemented in a safe, secure and
environmentally responsible manner.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Kay Bailey Hutchison to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. Mr. LaHood, this Committee, and its members, have long
enjoyed a close and productive working relationship with the Department
of Transportation. We often rely on the technical and legal expertise
of the Department's staff when we are developing or reviewing proposed
legislation. Can members of this Committee count on this cooperative
relationship continuing?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to continuing the close working
relationship existing between the Department and Congress--and
especially this committee. I would truly appreciate the opportunity to
continue providing the committee with technical assistance and am
certain that it will serve to enhance the objectives of both Congress
and the Department.
Question 2. Earlier this week, the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO) gave a preliminary estimate of how quickly the funds in the House
economic stimulus bill will be spent. According to CBO of the $43.1
billion included for transportation programs, only $6.3 billion or 14.6
percent will enter the economy by September 30, 2010. This hardly seems
like it would have a major stimulative effect on the economy. What can
you do to ensure the taxpayer that any funds Congress provides, first
and foremost stimulates the economy and creates job, and two, does so
in the most timely manner?
Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department works with
the States and other relevant potential grant recipients so that grant
funds will be dedicated to projects that have been planned, organized
and meet agency requirements before the funds are committed--in essence
``shovel ready". This, we expect, will help put people to work as early
as this summer working on roads, bridges, transit, airport projects,
and other important infrastructure projects.
Question 3. An early challenge you will face as Secretary will be
easing the relationship between FAA Management and its unions. As you
know, the new Administration has full discretion to renegotiate labor
agreements, but I would hope you will consider the fiscal ramifications
of reopening the current NATCA air traffic controller contract which
could potentially cost the FAA $1.9 billion through the year 2011.
During these difficult economic times I find it hard to justify such
expenditures for a workforce that is already some of the highest paid
in the Federal Government. In order to ease future management/labor
tensions, will you work with the Committee to create a prospective
labor contract impasse process that allows for fair and final closure
of controversial contract issues?
Answer. If confirmed, one of my top priorities is to find the most
talented FAA Administrator that we can find, and recommend that person
to President Obama, so he can recommend that person to the Senate for
confirmation. I am committed to finding an Administrator who will work
with Congress and the controllers to resolve issues as quickly as
possible.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jim DeMint to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. What do you foresee as the most immediate need at the
Department of Transportation?
Answer. While maintaining transportation safety as the Department's
preeminent goal, the most immediate need will be to implement the
Economic Recovery Act rapidly, as soon as it is enacted, and emphasize
projects that are ready-to-go and will also contribute long-term to the
economic vitality of this country. It is imperative that expenditures
be closely tracked, to ensure that they are expended in accordance with
the law and good policy, and to be able to measure their positive
effect on economic recovery, as Congress intends.
Question 2. What do you believe is the Federal Government's role in
transportation policy?
Answer. I believe that the major challenges facing the Department
of Transportation relate to its support of key national objectives of
safety and mobility. The Department's programs and activities must
contribute to solutions in areas critical to the Nation's future. In
the area of the economy, efficient and safe infrastructure is a
fundamental requirement for recovery and growth. As a nation, we need
to invest in our highways, bridges, ports, air and rail systems to
strengthen user safety, bolster our long-term competitiveness and
ensure that our economy achieves its growth potential. Through the
Department of Transportation's programs, sound and well managed
investments will move us in the right direction. Leadership in the
Department of Transportation is needed to set the objectives in these
areas, gain support for the resources needed and provide benchmarks to
gauge progress.
In the area of energy, the transportation system must play a
central role in conservation and sound development of energy resources.
The fuel economy of the Nation's automobile fleet must continue to
improve, and I look forward to working within the Administration and
with the auto industry to achieve this goal. Investing in advanced
vehicle technology and development of supportive policies for
alternative-energy vehicles, will also be an important contribution to
the national goals. So will the Department's support of efficient
transportation modes and effective public transportation in our cities.
Making these initiatives happen is a key challenge, involving both
resources and hands-on management and the revitalization of the
Department's research and development skills.
Environment is another area where the Department contributes to
national goals and where I see a key set of challenges. Making global
warming a top priority as well as dealing with other environmental
concerns will require a new level of attention for our transportation
systems as well as a new mindset for the Department's leadership.
Increased energy efficiency in our vehicles and our passenger and
freight transportation systems will significantly alleviate the problem
of greenhouse gases. Among the key challenges here is the development
of close working relationships with other Cabinet agencies whose goals
and programs overlap with those of the Department of Transportation.
Question 3. The highway system is at a crisis. GAO first predicted
that the Highway Trust Fund was unsustainable at its current levels,
and last Congress, taxpayers had to bailout the transportation sector.
What do you propose for restricting the way highways are funded?
Answer. As we approach the renewal of the surface transportation
programs, we need to ``think outside the box,'' particularly as to
future funding mechanisms. We need to reexamine current fuel excise
taxes and evaluate new proposals and ideas. I would also look to the
comprehensive analyses of the two major Policy Commissions established
by SAFETEA-LU as the new Administration shapes proposals for our
transportation future.
Question 4. The last administration was progressive with looking
for new ways and opportunities to give states the flexibility to fund
infrastructure projects, will you office continue to push public
private partnerships as a means to operate our highway system? Will
your office continue to consult with cities and counties on their
development of contracts with private companies?
Answer. As I indicated above, we need to ``think outside the box,''
and the use of new financing tools is one of the ways to do this.
Question 5. Will you recognize earmarks if they deviate from your
agency's transportation policy? Congressman LaHood, I want to get your
perspective on the practice of Congressional earmarking. Last February
The State Journal-Register reported the following quote from you, ``'If
people like Ray LaHood and others aren't able to earmark dollars, that
money will be spent by some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., and who
knows better how to spend money on worthwhile projects than a community
and an individual Congressman?' LaHood said. You seem to take a fairly
dim view of the thousands of Federal ``bureaucrats'' you will be
leading at the Department of Transportation.
a. Do you regret these comments?
b. Will the Department of Transportation budget be more effectively
executed with or without earmarks?
c. When earmarks aren't written into law--such as when they are in
committee reports, letters or phoned in by members--will you use the
merit review procedures at the Department of Transportation to fund
projects or will you abide by the suggestions of influential Members of
Congress?
Answer. I need to be clear, first, that I would be honored to head
the Department of Transportation and be able to work with the extremely
high-quality workforce there. My view as a Member of Congress might
better have been expressed simply that sometimes a ``one size fits
all'' government policy is maintained despite the clear case for a
particular project in a specific set of circumstances. The more
important point, however, is that the President opposes earmarks and
that, were I to join the Administration, I would have a clear policy to
carry out as a part of the executive branch. I believe that the
President's policy will govern the particulars of carrying out the law,
and accompanying reports, and I would look forward to implementing his
policy.
Question 6. According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report
in December 2004, Amtrak is by far the most heavily subsidized mode of
travel in the U.S. Between its huge Federal subsidies and it minuscule
share of the intercity passenger market (less than 1 percent). Amtrak
has misused their Federal funds and has failed to organize to make
itself self sustainable. How will your agency force Amtrak to organize
to become self sustainable?
Answer. As Secretary of Transportation, I would serve as a member
of the Amtrak board of directors, and I would work to make the system
as efficient as possible, recognizing that intercity passenger rail is
often subsidized to some degree throughout the world because of its
contributions to reduced congestion and urban air quality. I also note
that several provisions of the just enacted ``Passenger Rail Investment
and Improvement Act of 2008'' address use of Federal funds, including
requirements for improved financial accounting, development of a five-
year financial plan, and development of methodologies for Amtrak route
and service planning decisions and metrics, and standards for measuring
the performance and service quality of intercity passenger train
operations. If confirmed, I would make implementation of these
financing reforms a priority.
Question 7. A 2006 GAO report stated ``the existing intercity
passenger rail system is in poor financial condition and the current
structure does not effectively target Federal funds to where they
provide the greatest public benefits, such as transportation congestion
relief. Routes of 750 miles or more, while providing service for from
rural areas and connections between regions, show limited public
benefits for dollars expended. These routes account for 15 percent of
riders but 80 percent of financial losses.'' How will you establish a
system to eliminate some of Amtrak's least profitable lines? Will you
entertain private company offers to purchase Amtrak routes and rail
lines?
Answer. At this time, the new Administration's policy on specifics
of this nature is not yet established but, if confirmed, I would be
pleased to advise you of developments in the area of the future of
Amtrak's route structure. The recently enacted Passenger Rail
Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 includes the development of a
pilot program allowing rail carriers to seek to be considered as
alternative passenger rail providers. If I am confirmed, I will work to
effectively implement the new legislation.
Question 8. How do you plan to pay for next-gen technology for the
air traffic control system? Do you plan to impose a new flat fee on
general aviation for costs associated with air traffic control
services?
Answer. As I expressed earlier about ``thinking outside the box''
with regard to the future financing of surface transportation programs,
we need to approach the critical element of financing our aviation
programs in the future with an open mind. That said, I would like to
work with Congress throughout the FAA's reauthorization process to
address these very issues.
Question 9. Do you support the National Air Traffic Controllers
attempt to negotiate their contract to pre-2006 level?
Answer. I believe that the FAA will work best with a satisfied work
force, one that wants to come to work each day, and I am a supporter of
good-faith collective bargaining between employee groups and
management.
Question 10. How do you plan to recruit new air traffic
controllers?
Answer. This is a very important issue because of the critical
nature of air traffic control functions to aviation safety. That said,
I would need to consult with the experts at the Federal Aviation
Administration, and get the benefit of the perspective of a new FAA
Administrator, before offering specifics in this area.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
Hon. Ray LaHood
Question 1. Do you believe the current highway bill is an equitable
formula that should serve as a fair model for the 2009 Highway Bill?
Are there provisions you would change to the current bill?
Answer. As we approach reauthorization of the surface
transportation programs, we need to ``think outside the box,''
particularly as to future funding mechanisms. This includes investing
in ways that respect the unique character of each community. The era of
one-size-fits-all transportation projects must give way to one where
preserving and enhancing unique community characteristics, be they
rural or urban, is a primary goal, rather than an afterthought. And I
intend to make livable communities a big part of what we are going to
do under reauthorization. I am committed to working with Congress to
enact surface transportation legislation that moves the country
forward.
Question 2. Essential Air Service plays an important role in South
Dakota's economy. Do you foresee any recommendations from the Obama
Administration that would change the Essential Air Service program or
limit air service in rural areas such as South Dakota?
Answer. I believe that air service plays an important role as an
economic engine for communities to enhance their livability. I look
forward to working with Congress to help make the EAS program as
efficient as possible to ensure that eligible communities maintain a
link to the national transportation system.
Question 3. Throughout South Dakota, ethanol plants, grain
elevators, power plants and a variety of other shippers are captive to
only one railroad. In which case, their only hope for rate relief is
through the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Do you believe the STB
is in need of reform? If so, what types of reforms do you believe would
provide captive shippers with much needed rate relief?
Answer. At this time, the new Administration's policy on specifics
of this nature is not yet established but, if confirmed, I would expect
the Department to focus on this important aspect of freight
transportation.
Question 4. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked
President Barack Obama to waive or greatly streamline Federal
requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for
several infrastructure projects in order to spur job growth and
expedite construction of new roads, mass transit and energy systems in
California. What is your opinion of the Governor's request? Will the
Obama Administration consider the economic urgency of job creation by
setting aside or streamlining NEPA review when moving forward on any
infrastructure based stimulus proposal? Separate from any stimulus
proposal, would you as Secretary consider the need to shorten the
length of time it takes to complete environmental reviews of
transportation projects a priority?
Answer. Our immediate priority will be to implement the Economic
Recovery Act rapidly, as soon as it is enacted, and emphasize projects
that are ready-to-go and will also contribute to the long-term economic
vitality of the Nation. I intend to develop close working relationships
with other agencies whose programs interact with those of the
Department of Transportation to streamline environmental reviews
whenever possible, while protecting the environment.
Question 5. SAFETEA-LU included several provisions aimed at
shortening the amount of time it takes to complete environmental
reviews of highway projects. Some of these provisions, however, seem to
have issues with implementation that have resulted in little
improvement in project delivery times. As Secretary, would you support
efforts to improve these provisions? In particular, would you support
efforts to allow States to assume the responsibilities of the Secretary
of Transportation for environmental reviews? Would you support efforts
to further rationalize the section 4(f) review process?
Answer. I support increasing the efficiency of project reviews and
will consider new approaches to improving delivery times while ensuring
that important resources are protected.
Question 6. Executive Order 13274 was intended to enhance
environmental stewardship as well as streamline the environmental
review and development of transportation projects. Among other things,
the Secretary of Transportation is directed to designate, and amend as
appropriate, a list of high-priority transportation projects to receive
expedited agency reviews. What are your thoughts on the benefits or
drawbacks of this Executive Order? Would you support continued
implementation of it during the Obama Administration?
Answer. I am committed to efficient transportation project delivery
and, if confirmed, intend to develop close working relationships with
other agencies whose responsibilities interact with the Department's,
in order to streamline environmental reviews while ensuring that the
Department fulfills its environmental stewardship responsibilities.
Executive Order 13274 provides a framework for working with other
agencies toward these goals.
Question 7. In SAFETEA-LU, the Congress included some modifications
to the program aimed at improving the effectiveness and the cost-
effectiveness of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program
(CMAQ). What are your thoughts on the CMAQ program? Do you have any
ideas on how to improve it further?
Answer. Environment is another area where the Department
contributes to national goals and where I see a key set of challenges.
Making global warming a top priority as well as dealing with other
environmental concerns will require a new level of attention for our
transportation systems as well as a new focus for the Department.
Increased energy efficiency in our vehicles and our passenger and
freight transportation systems will significantly alleviate the problem
of greenhouse gases.