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Congressional Leaders Address Key Transportation Issues; Long-Term Funding, Reform, Bipartisanship Top List

Passenger Transport recently had the opportunity to pose several public transportation-related questions to two of the lawmakers who are instrumental in the development of the next surface transportation bill--Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), chair of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

They shared their thoughts in advance of APTA's Legislative Conference, March 8-10. Their comments follow.

As the MAP-21 extension expiration date rapidly approaches, what's your assessment of the likelihood that Congress will pass and fund a multi-year, sustainable surface authorization bill?

Rep. Shuster: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee continues to focus on a long-term bill, and while major surface transportation reauthorizations typically pose significant challenges, I'm confident an agreement can be reached. Short-term extensions have been required in the past to ensure that projects don't shut down, but none of us prefers those shorter measures because they prevent states, local governments, transit agencies and companies from being able to plan and undertake larger projects.



Sen. Shelby: I am committed to passing a fiscally responsible, long-term transportation reauthorization bill because I recognize that it is important to states, public transportation authorities and most importantly, the economy. However, this commitment is accompanied by significant fiscal challenges as our nation's transportation infrastructure needs continue to outstrip the revenue of the Highway Trust Fund. I believe that we must work together to find a solution and I am committed to that effort.



What actions are currently underway in your committee to address authorization?

Shuster: Over the past months, our committee has held numerous hearings, roundtables and meetings with transportation stakeholders to gather as much input as possible for a bill. This process continues, and we will always be open to ideas.
We're working with our colleagues in the House and the Senate to find the best possible solutions for a bill that promotes the safe and efficient movement of goods and people, institutes common sense reforms of federal programs, cuts red tape, encourages fiscal responsibility and provides more authority for non-federal partners.

Shelby: As the committee begins the process of crafting a reauthorization bill, we have planned a number of formal and informal meetings to discuss MAP-21 and its successor. The Banking Committee will hold two hearings in April to learn about the successes and short-comings of MAP-21, explore the administration's reauthorization proposal and discuss reauthorization priorities with the public transportation community. I also believe that there is value in having more in-depth conversations with the industry and affected communities about the challenges they face providing safe, reliable public transportation services. To facilitate such a dialogue, the committee will hold a number of roundtable discussions related to reauthorization. These are just a few of the ways that the committee will begin to chart a path forward.

What are some specific public transportation-related policies you'd like to see implemented in the next surface authorization bill--for example, those on project delivery timelines, program efficiencies or other specific policy areas?

Shuster: While the committee has not released specifics of a final proposal yet, I am interested in maintaining the federal role in transit.

We can build on the reforms begun with MAP-21 by making federal programs more efficient at the federal, state and local level. We need to support utilization of public-private partnerships where feasible to ensure our limited resources can go as far as possible.

And we need to promote the use of technology, including in transit. Taking advantage of existing and future technologies is another means of stretching funding and getting a bigger bang for your buck.

Shelby: Reform efforts that promote greater efficiency and effectiveness in public transportation systems across America are essential to any reauthorization bill, but especially during times of fiscal restraint when Congress will seek to stretch federal investment to its maximum potential. In particular, I am interested in learning more about successful business and process measures being employed by transit properties across the country and how Congress can either incorporate those innovative or best practices into transportation policy or otherwise help facilitate their implementation more broadly.

I also believe that we can take additional steps to streamline project delivery by ensuring that government maintains its broad oversight responsibilities but steps out of the way when it is prudent or when there is limited federal investment.

Greater private investment in public transportation projects has long been a goal of mine and one that I expect to continue in this reauthorization proposal. These are just a few of the ideas that we are considering.

What can the public transportation community do to help Congress develop and pass a multi-year bill?

Shuster: As always, participation in this process by the public transportation community is key to achieving our collective goal of a long-term bill. Particularly at this stage, helping to make sure members of Congress understand the need to come together on a long-term bill and the economic consequences of relying on a series of short-term measures, is absolutely critical to passing a bill.

Shelby: The public transportation community, along with their state and local partners, should continue to emphasize the importance of a long-term reauthorization bill to their members of Congress. It is equally important to articulate proposals that are grounded in fiscal reality. During the course of the give and take that is inherent to the legislative process, I believe it is important to share clear goals and priorities for MAP-21 reauthorization on both transportation policy and funding interests.

President Obama's FY 2016 budget calls for significant growth in transportation infrastructure investment. While you might not agree with the administration's approach on achieving that, do you think that such increased federal investment has the potential for bipartisan cooperation?

Shuster: I appreciate the administration's engagement on these issues. Identifying a responsible means to pay for our infrastructure needs is one of the most important aspects of this process, and the Transportation Committee will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion with the Ways and Means Committee, our leaders, the Senate and the administration to ensure that we can properly invest in our nation's infrastructure.

Shelby: Transportation infrastructure should not be a partisan issue and I have never approached it as such. Over the years I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft and pass transportation reauthorization bills, including SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21. As we begin this reauthorization process I expect to work with Sen. Brown and others to develop a bipartisan bill that can garner broad support in the Banking Committee and on the Senate floor.

About Bill Shuster
Bill Shuster (R-PA) is the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, one of the largest committees in Congress, with jurisdiction over all modes of transportation. He has served on the T&I Committee since he was first elected to the House in 2001. He previously served as the chairman of two of the T&I's subcommittees: Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Prior to coming to Congress, Shuster worked on his family's farm, with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Corp., and Bandag Inc. He also owned and operated an automobile dealership in Pennsylvania.

About Richard Shelby
Richard Shelby (R-AL) was first elected to the Senate in 1986. In addition to his leadership of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, he also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Rules and Administration. Prior to his election to the Senate, Shelby served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and eight years in the Alabama legislature. Previously, he was a practicing attorney, a Tuscaloosa city prosecutor, U.S. magistrate for the Northern District of Alabama, and a special assistant attorney general in Alabama.

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