Political games disrupt key transportation programs

I am sorry to report that DOT will furlough nearly 2,000 employees without pay Monday.

This means DOT must temporarily shut down highway reimbursements to states worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This means we must temporarily shut down national anti-drunk driving efforts. And this means we must shut down construction projects across the country--maybe in your state or your county--because federal inspectors won't be able to do their jobs.

And when those projects shut down, and the states don't get their highway reimbursements, what will happen then? Layoffs of construction workers in a country that can ill afford such losses.

You might be surprised by how we came to this: Because one Senator blocked the extension of the Highway Trust Fund. And not just the Highway Trust Fund extension. Other provisions in the same legislation would have covered tax credits for health coverage and unemployment insurance for 400,000 people.

400,000 people, already jobless, now cut off from their only lifeline.

Now, the Highway Trust Fund reaches much further than its name indicates. It supports all of America's surface transportation--highways, bridges, transit, safety inspections, and our efforts to promote seat belt use and to fight impaired and distracted driving.

This doesn't mean we'll just have to pull a few PSAs from evening television programs. It means federal inspectors will be removed from critical construction projects, forcing transportation work on federal lands to halt abruptly.

This affects people and communities across the nation. It puts a stop to bridge construction and stream rehabilitation in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Resurfacing of the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi will be placed on hold. And replacement of the Humpback Bridge on the George Washington Parkway in Virginia will just have to wait.

These are important projects. And the workers will be sent home from their job sites.

In addition to the dismay of these American workers, we must add the disruption of key safety programs. Programs like "Drunk Driving: over the limit, under arrest" campaign, our current work against distracted driving, and our work promoting child passenger safety and motorcycle safety.

These are programs that work to change driving practices that kill 37,000 Americans every year.

And consumers whose good are held hostage by rogue moving companies can receive no assistance from DOT during this furlough.

Now, to all of our great employees at the Department of Transportation, I very much regret the hardship that this will cause you and your families. Please be sure to report for work Monday morning as you normally would unless given specific alternate instructions.

DOT employees may find more information about the furloughs and when they will be able to return to work at www.dot.gov, or you can call the following agency-specific telephone numbers:

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (866) 499-3637
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) (800) 382-9067
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (866) 841-1496
• Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) (202) 366-0401

I will also keep you posted here on this blog through my Twitter account, www.twitter.com/RayLaHood, and on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/sec.lahood.

Please stay tuned for further information.

Comments

[3gmobility]

Does DOT have a proposal for reauthorization?

[Diane M. Drake]

I am beginning to wonder if President Obama should shut the doors of Congress, send them home, without their congressional pay or benefits until they are willing to do the work they were elected to do. The attitude of saying no to everything is crippling the country. Their desire to embarras President Obama smacks of a conspiracy. It is no wonder decent legislatures are tired of the game playing and quitting or deciding not to run again. Again, we should close the doors and send them home until they are ready to do the hard work needed to bring this country back where it should be.

[Michael E. Bailey]

It looks like if we expect to get anything done this year it will have to be through the reconciliation process. This is the only way to get important legislation passed as a few want to filibuster every item for no reason other than the elections in November. What is happening is not in the best interest of the country but a few people think it works to gain seats in Congress or win reelection themselves. So that is what we are up against and without reconciliation, that is what we can expect for the rest of the year. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[John Herring]

I am a supporter of Senator Bunning's actions. The Government (except Military) could fire 33% of the employees and we taxpayers would not see any degradation of service and think of all the money we would save. That goes for the Secretaries. But you bureaucrats don't think that way – Your Idiots

[Concerned Civil Engineer]

I agree with 3gmobility. While an extension is helpful. What is the government going to do about highway trust fund reauthorization?

There are serious long-term funding issues that need to be addressed. Extensions and stimulus funds serve only as a bandaid. It is what funding results from reauthorization that will truly shape the long-term fiscal health of the American Transportation landscape.

[Mark]

Promises Promises and misuse of funds to purchase items that are sold on the premises of working but don't....

[Nansy Sringman]

It looks like if we expect to get anything done this year it will have to be through the reconciliation process. This is the only way to get important legislation passed as a few want to filibuster every item for no reason other than the elections in November. What is happening is not in the best interest of the country but a few people think it works to gain seats in Congress or win reelection themselves. So that is what we are up against and without reconciliation, that is what we can expect for the rest of the year.