Transit System Flexibility Protection Act of 2004

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that will restore flexibility to small communities in the use of Federal transit funding. As chairman of the Senate's Surface Transportation Subcommittee, I recognize the value of mass transit. Public transit is the first choice of transportation for many Americans. Local options such as buses, light rail and subways are affordable, friendly to the environment, and reduce traffic congestion.

I know the limited availability of Federal funds for the Nation's extensive transportation needs requires creative solutions. For this reason, I have introduced this bill to correct an inequity in current law. The 1998 TEA-21 bill phased out operating assistance for mass transit except in small communities, using a population of 200,000 as the benchmark. Nationwide, more than 30 cities that are generally considered small transit communities because they operate fewer than 100 buses at peak hours exceeded that threshold in the 2000 Census. In Texas, the city of Lubbock is caught in this discrepancy. The 2000 Census also treated metropolitan areas composed of two or more adjacent cities as one statistical unit, and many of these units, such as Denton and Lewisville in Texas, subsequently ceased to qualify as small transit communities without increasing the size of their transit systems.

This bill would allow the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to a transit system for mass transportation operating costs in an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 if such transit system operates less than 100 buses. Smaller communities have always relied on Federal operating assistance for public transportation. Although bus systems may generate profits, the revenues of such limited offerings are not enough to finance administrative and other overhead costs not associated with capital purchases.

While Congress works to reauthorize highway and other surface transportation programs for another 6 years, the need for this technical correction cannot be ignored. To ensure quality mass transit in States, small transit communities operating fewer than 100 buses should be permitted to use Federal funding as needed for capital investments or operating expenses.

I am proud to offer this bill that provides an important correction for small transit systems, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that will restore flexibility to small communities in the use of Federal transit funding. As chairman of the Senate's Surface Transportation Subcommittee, I recognize the value of mass transit. Public transit is the first choice of transportation for many Americans. Local options such as buses, light rail and subways are affordable, friendly to the environment, and reduce traffic congestion.

I know the limited availability of Federal funds for the Nation's extensive transportation needs requires creative solutions. For this reason, I have introduced this bill to correct an inequity in current law. The 1998 TEA-21 bill phased out operating assistance for mass transit except in small communities, using a population of 200,000 as the benchmark. Nationwide, more than 30 cities that are generally considered small transit communities because they operate fewer than 100 buses at peak hours exceeded that threshold in the 2000 Census. In Texas, the city of Lubbock is caught in this discrepancy. The 2000 Census also treated metropolitan areas composed of two or more adjacent cities as one statistical unit, and many of these units, such as Denton and Lewisville in Texas, subsequently ceased to qualify as small transit communities without increasing the size of their transit systems.

This bill would allow the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to a transit system for mass transportation operating costs in an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 if such transit system operates less than 100 buses. Smaller communities have always relied on Federal operating assistance for public transportation. Although bus systems may generate profits, the revenues of such limited offerings are not enough to finance administrative and other overhead costs not associated with capital purchases.

While Congress works to reauthorize highway and other surface transportation programs for another 6 years, the need for this technical correction cannot be ignored. To ensure quality mass transit in States, small transit communities operating fewer than 100 buses should be permitted to use Federal funding as needed for capital investments or operating expenses.

I am proud to offer this bill that provides an important correction for small transit systems, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today with great honor and privilege to introduce a bill that would rename Ridges Basin Reservoir in Colorado as Lake Nighthorse after my dear friend and colleague, the Senior Senator from Colorado, Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It is fitting that the Ridges Basin Reservoir, which was created pursuant to legislation introduced and shepherded through congress by Senator Campbell, bear his name. I hope the United States Congress will give this legislation its every consideration.

A veteran, Olympian, and public servant, Senator Campbell has selflessly devoted himself to serving his State and country for over half a century. During his seventeen years in the United State Congress, Senator Campbell has earned respect on both sides of the aisle as a consummate statesman and staunch advocate for the State of Colorado.

As you know, Senator Campbell recently announced that he will not seek a third term to the United States Senate. This is a great loss to the Nation and to the great State of Colorado, but most of all, it is a significant loss to the Senate. His leadership and presence will be greatly missed by all of us. I wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, along with 52 of my colleagues I am reintroducing a resolution to renew the import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. This resolution is identical to the language in S.J. Res. 36, introduced by myself and others on April 29, 2004, except that the preamble has been stricken. I am pleased that Secretary of State Colin Powell has written in support of this legislation.

I again urge the Senate Finance Committee to expedite consideration of this legislation, which enjoys broad bipartisan support in the Senate.