Date: 1996-04-17
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of H.R. 842. the Truth in Budgeting Act. This legislation is critical to the viability of the Nations highway program and to ensuring tax fairness. The transportation trust funds were created with a special obligation between Congress and transportation usersthat these user fees would be used to construct. rebuild and maintain our Nations transportation infrastructure. Currently highway users contribute over $5 billion annually toward deficit reduction. Further reductions in spending from this program will increase trust fund balances and ignore the commitments made to taxpayers. Mr. Chairman. while budgetary manipulation restrains investment. Americas transportation needs continue to grow. The Department of Transportation recently reported that just to maintain current conditions would require an annual investment of $44.8 billion for highways. $5.1 billion for bridges and $7.3 billion for transit systems. Actual 1993 outlays for these purposes were $34.8 billion by all levels of government. Airport needs alone are estimated at $10 billion annually. It is argued that transportation should make a contribution to reducing the deficit. The truth is. that since 1990 transportation users already have contributed more than $30 billion to deficit reduction through diversion of part of the Federal motor fuels tax to the general fund. Both congressional and administration budget plans would result in transportation spending reductions and increases in trust fund balances to offset the deficit. Mr. Chairman. concerns have been expressed about the impact on the deficit and other programs of taking the transportation trust funds off budget. These concerns are unfounded. Removal of the trust funds from the unified budget itself will not increase the deficit. will not mandate cuts in other programs. will not restrict the Appropriations Committees ability to set transportation spending levels. In a written cost estimate the Congressional Budget Office has ruled that taking the trust funds off budget would not result in any change to the deficit. Mt. Chairman. by passing this bill. Congress will retain its pivotal role in setting spending and policy priorities in transportation. Mr. Chairman. it is necessary only to drive to work these days to be reminded that Americas transportation infrastructure needs some heavy duty work. The winters lingering potholes and the traffic jams are only part of the evidence that not enough is being done to improve the Nations mobility. It is time to make the situation right and surely not allowing more and more deterioration. But making it right means allowing the balances in the trust funds to be spent down in a responsible manner. It means helping to meet the billions of dollars in unmet needs on highways. bridges. transit systems and airports. Mr. Chairman. without this legislation it is likely that the balances in the trust funds will continue to increase and there will be fewer resources available for the Nations transportation infrastructure. The transportation trust funds must be removed from the unified budget so that we can keep our commitments to the highway users and to future generations. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 842 the Truth in Budgeting Act. I yield back the balance of my time.