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TEA-21 Reauthorization Action Center
Congress continues to labor over legislation to reauthorize the nation's surface transportation systems. Enacted in 1998, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) authorized $218 billion for the nation's highway and transit programs, building on the initiatives established in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Since TEA-21 expired in September 2003, the nation's highway and transit programs have operated under a series of extensions.|
How you can help Click here for details |
 
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Latest Developments |
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September 8, 2005: As the nation reels from record gas prices in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, lawmakers seek to suspend gas tax. ASCE and coalition partners remind lawmakers that this short-sighted action will provide little relief to consumers and cause even more transportation problems in the future.
»Read ARTBA's memo to congressional staff August 10, 2005: Nearly two years after TEA-21 expired, President Bush signed SAFETEA-LU into law at a ceremony in Montgomery, Illinois. The measure provides $286.4 billion over six years for highway and transit construction and maintenance. July 29, 2005:Congress approves a final conference report that provides $286.4 billion for surface transportation systems over six years, capping nearly 2 years of contentious negotiations and multiple extensions of the previous authorization. The president is expected to sign it into law. July 26, 2005: Conference leaders continue to negotiate a final report before the August congressional recess begins July 29. May 27, 2005: Members of a House-Senate Conference Committee to negotiate a final version of the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (H.R. 3) announced by House and Senate leaders. » View a list of conferees May 17, 2005: Senate votes 89-11 to approve H.R. 3, legislation that would reauthorize surface transportation programs, providing $295 billion in funding over six years (FY 2004-FY 2009). Before the final vote, the Senate voted 86-14 to defeat the Sessions amendment that would have decreased the total funding level by $11 billion. Visit ASCE's "Six Clicks" advocacy website to see how your Senators voted. May 17, 2005: ASCE sends letters to Senators opposing amendments that would decrease transportation funding and weaken the QBS process in projects authorized by H.R. 3. » Read ASCE's letter opposing the Sessions Amendment to decrease funding » Read ASCE's letter opposing the Cornyn Amendment that would undermine current federal law relating to design-build procurement May 12, 2005: After the Senated voted 76-22 this week to preserve a 6-year funding level of $295 billion in H.R. 3, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced a final vote on transportation reauthorization will occur Tuesday, May 17. May 10, 2005: ASCE sends letter to members of the Senate opposing Chambliss amendment to remove Design-Build Contracting rules from projects authorized by H.R. 3, surface transportation reauthorization legislation. » Read the letter and text of the Chambliss amendment May 9, 2005: ASCE sends letter to members of the Senate in support of increasing funding in transportation reauthorization legislation (H.R. 3). » Read the letter » View chart detailing state-by-state rate of return under H.R. 3 April 28, 2005: The Senate votes 51-49 to table the Bond Amendment that would prevent a mandatory 2% set-aside in highway funds for stormwater mitigation. See Transportation Construction Coalition letter to the Senate in support of the Bond Amendment Visit the "6 Clicks" Advocacy Website and click on Federal Legislative Center from the Main Menu to see how your Senators voted April 26, 2005: Senate approves cloture motion 94-6 and begins floor debate of transportation reauthorization legislation. Visit http://www.asce.org/advocacy.html and click on Federal Legislative Center from the Main Menu to see how your Senators voted. April 26, 2005: Senate scheduled to vote on invoking cloture to begin floor debate on transportation reauthorization. March 16, 2005: Senate Environment & Public Works Committee approves its $284 billion version of transportation reauthorization legislation. March 10, 2005: TEA LU approved by the full House of Representatives, 417-9. The legislation would provide $283.9 billion over six years for the nation's surface transportation systems. March 2, 2005: TEA LU passed by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. February 9, 2005: The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, or TEA LU (H.R. 3) introduced in the House of Representatives by Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Don Young (R-AK). November 16, 2004: Congress convenes for a 'lame duck' session and transportation leaders again will push for passage of a six-year transportation reauthorization bill. |
ASCE's 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure graded the nation's infrastructure a "D" based on fifteen categories, including Roads with a grade of "D", Bridges with a grade of "C", and Transit with a grade of "D+". Poor road conditions cost U.S. motorists $54 billion a year in repairs and operating costs - $275 per motorist. While transit use increased more than 21 percent from 1993 to 2002, total capital outlays in 2002 fell $8 billion short of the Federal Transit Administration's estimated need to improve system conditions to "good". Eliminating all bridge deficiencies will cost $9.4 billion a year for 20 years.
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ASCE's "Reauthorizing the Nation's Surface Transportation
Program: A Blueprint for Success". Read ASCE's position on TEA-21 reauthorization. Download the pdf (1.13 mb) |
Current Legislation
H.R. 3 - The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU)
S. 732 - The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (SAFETEA)
Details, including text of legislation and current status can be found using THOMAS
ASCE Teams Up with House Transportation Leaders to Promote Reauthorization Plan
ASCE is working closely with staff and members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to promote the Committee's $375 billion TEA-21 reauthorization plan through a series of stops across the country called the 'Road Show'. Below are some highlights from recent stops on the Road Show.
September 29, 2003: ASCE members in Chicago join House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Highways Subcommitte Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI), Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, and other members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to rally support for the committee's TEA-21 reauthorization proposal.
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| Rep. William Lipinski (D-IL) speaks to crowd at rally for roads and transportation spending in downtown Chicago. |
July 14, 2003: ASCE co-hosts lunch for members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee visiting Charleston, SC to promote the Committee's reauthorization plan.
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| ASCE District 10 Director Eugene Balter with Reps. Tom Petri (R-WI) and John Boozman (R-AR) at July 14 lunch in Charleston |
Town Hall Meetings Raise Awareness of Infrastructure Needs
ASCE has teamed up with the American Public Works Association to produce Town Hall Meetings on infrastructure with a focus on transportation needs.
Visit http://www.asce.org/govrel/inftownhalls.cfm for more information.
Communication to Congress
Download the pdf (28 kb)
Testimony
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April 10, 2003 - "Transportation Research and Development: Investing in the Future" Statement of the American Society of Civil Engineers before the Environment, Technology and Standards Subcommittee, Committee on Science, U.S. House of Representatives. Download the pdf (39 kb)
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March 13, 2003 - "Reauthorization of Federal Highway and Transit Programs: What are the needs, and how to meet those needs" Statement of the American Society of Civil Engineers before the Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives. Download the pdf (57 kb)
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March 4, 2003 - "Reauthorization of Transportation Research, Development and Education Programs" Statement of the American Society of Civil Engineers before the Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives. Download the pdf (39 kb)
- September 4, 2003 - The Lights Go Out On Broadway.
- September 4, 2003 - Civil Engineers Call for Presidential Commission to Act on Failing Infrastructure
- September 1, 2003 - The Lights Go Out on Broadway. What's Next?
- March 12, 2003 - Americans See Urgent Need For Increased Highway And Transit Funding. Reauthorization of TEA-21 and six-cent increase in the motor fuels user fees are needed to address America's transportation needs.
- September 4, 2003 - Civil Engineers Call for Presidential Commission to Act on Failing Infrastructure
Refer to ASCE's policy statements on Surface Transportation Issues, Public Works Financing, and Infrastructure.
Get Involved
- Visit ASCE's Advocacy Website to get the latest message to communicate
to your members of congress.
- Organize a Letter-Writing Campaign from your firm to your Representative and Senators
Download your letter-writing kit today and you'll have everything you need to send a powerful message to your elected officials about the importance of surface transportation reauthorization.
- Click here to download instructions and a sample letters in Word 2002 format
- Click here to download the letter sign-on sheet in Word 2002 format - A recent survey of state highway and transportation officials estimated that a delay in reauthorization of TEA-21 could result in 90,000 jobs lost and $2.1 billion in added contract costs.
Visit http://www.transportation1.org/aashtonew/ to read the full report. - Download these catchy postcards to send to President Bush and your Senators and Representative asking them to work towards enacting a six year reauthorization bill. Consider printing multiple sets and ask your fellow engineers or coworkers to send a set as well.
- Men Not Working [PDF 110KB]
- Women Not Working [PDF 115KB]
Note: These images print as 8.5" x 11" pages. Please mail in an envelope with first class postage, not as a postcard.
Not sure of contact information for your elected officials? ASCE members can visit the ASCE Advocacy Website. Non-members should visit http://www.house.gov. - Let your member of Congress know your view on TEA-21 reauthorization.
- Would you like to receive updates on TEA-21 activities? ASCE members can sign up for the Key Contact Program to receive weekly news emails and action alerts.
- The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
- Federal Highway Administration
- Federal Highway Administration's 2002 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions & Performance Report to Congress
- Federal Transit Administration
- House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
- Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee (Transit Programs)
- U.S. DOT's Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 (SAFETEA) Official Web Page
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition page (ASCE is a coalition member)
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