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member of the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce, and the ranking member of the Committee 
on Science of the House of Representatives. 
(5) Any vacancy which may occur on the Com-
mission shall not affect its powers or functions but 
shall be filled in the same manner in which the origi-
nal appointment was made. 
(c) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall not later 
than December 31, 2007, submit to the President and 
Congress its final report including its findings and rec-
ommendations. The Commission shall cease to exist six 
months after submission of such report. All records and 
papers of the Commission shall thereupon be delivered to 
the Archivist of the United States for deposit in the Ar-
chives of the United States. 
(d) FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The final 
report shall include the Commission’s findings and rec-
ommendations with respect to the following: 
(1) The Nation’s transportation needs, both na-
tional and regional, through the year 2025. 
(2) The ability of our current transportation 
systems to meet the projected needs. 
(3) The proper mix of transportation modes 
and necessary linkages between modes to meet an-
ticipated needs.
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(4) Necessary measures and policies to ensure 
enhancement and protection of the natural environ-
ment in transportation decisionmaking. 
(5) Short-term, medium-term, and long-term 
research, development, and deployment to meet ex-
pected needs. 
(6) The roles of the public and private sectors 
relative to each mode and the balance between public 
and private investment. 
(7) The existing policies and programs of the 
Federal Government which affect the development of 
our national transportation system. 
(8) The new policies required to develop a bal-
anced national transportation system which meets 
projected needs, accommodates international trade 
and supports the national economy. 
(9) The adequacy of existing methods to fi-
nance transportation and alternative new methods of 
financing. 
(e) SPECIFIC FACTORS TO CONSIDER.—In developing 
its findings and recommendations, the Commission shall 
address the following specific factors: 
(1) The role of transportation as a critical link 
to the global economy and trade.
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(2) A balance between the transportation of 
people and goods. 
(3) Improving operations and management of 
the transportation system to improve efficiency, in-
cluding asset and information management. 
(4) The need to address aging infrastructure. 
(5) The need to address the enhancement and 
protection of the natural environment. 
(6) The need to address congestion in all 
modes. 
(7) The need to improve environmental deci-
sionmaking. 
(8) A balance between the demand for transpor-
tation reliability with new threats to security. 
(9) Ways to eliminate barriers to transportation 
investment created by the current modal structure of 
transportation funding. 
(10) Existing barriers to private investment in 
transportation facilities including tax inequities be-
tween modes. 
(11) The adequacy of the Federal transpor-
tation trust funds to finance future transportation 
needs. 
(12) Appropriate measures of transportation 
need.
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(13) The adequacy of integration among Fed-
eral programs affecting transportation. 
(14) The relationship between land use and 
transportation infrastructure investment. 
(15) The role that transportation plays in pro-
moting economic growth, improving the environment 
and sustaining the quality of life. 
(f) RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ROLES OF GOVERN-
MENT.—The Commission shall also make recommenda-
tions on the roles of the Federal and State governments 
in—
(1) environmental review of transportation 
projects; 
(2) the provision of intercity passenger rail 
services; 
(3) financing transportation at international 
border crossings; 
(4) facilitating international goods movement 
to, from and within the United States; 
(5) ensuring consistency in data and commu-
nications links for and between all modes; 
(6) financing for each mode of transportation; 
and
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(7) effectively using transportation networks to 
enhance the quality of life, protect natural resources 
and promote sustainable economic growth. 
(g) PARTICIPATION IN COMMISSION ACTIVITIES.—
(1) PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
The Chairman of the Commission shall request the 
head of each Federal department or agency with an 
interest in or a responsibility for national transpor-
tation policy to appoint a liaison who shall work 
closely with the Committee and its staff. Such de-
partments and agencies shall include, but not be lim-
ited to, the Department of Transportation, and each 
of its modal administrations, Office of Management 
and Budget, Department of Energy, Department of 
Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agen-
cy, Department of Health and Human Services, De-
partment of Commerce, Department of the Treas-
ury, Department of Defense, Department of Agri-
culture, National Transportation Safety Board, Sur-
face Transportation Board, and Army Corps of En-
gineers. 
(2) ADVICE FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGA-
NIZATIONS.—In carrying out its duties, the Commis-
sion shall seek the advice of various groups inter-
ested in national transportation policy including