Transportation secretary grilled at budget hearing

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), chairwoman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, hosted a hearing on Wednesday to review President Obama’s budget request for U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding.

During the proceedings, Collins grilled DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx, asking several questions regarding the agency’s spending priorities and processes.

“The president’s budget is based on a reauthorization that is once again funded by a Band-Aid approach.” Collins said during her opening remarks. “It is perplexing to hear the administration talk about how important our nation’s infrastructure is, yet at the same time, continue to remain silent on (Highway Trust Fund) reforms that must be put in place in order to address our crumbling infrastructure now and in the future. Simply saying ‘we are happy to work with Congress’ is not an acceptable answer…this is a critical year for transportation, both for the administration and for Congress.”

Collins went on to look closely at several of the more positive programs included in the president’s budget, which have been important to the State of Maine, including the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program (TIGER) and others. Collins said she was “pleased to see the administration continue to highlight the importance of TIGER,” but was disappointed that the president’s budget used a variety of “gimmicks” and unrealistic options to fund this important program.

“(I have) advocated for TIGER since joining the Appropriations Committee in 2009 and (have) seen first-hand how this program supports economic growth and job creation, nationally, regionally and locally,” Collins said. “It has been essential to many bridge, railroad and port projects in my home state of Maine that would not have otherwise been undertaken when they needed to be.”

Since 2009, Collins has been able to successfully secure more than $90 million through the TIGER program for key projects throughout Maine, including replacement of bridges in Kittery, Dresden-Richmond and Rumford, as well as the breakwater in Eastport.

Because the budget requested an increase for transportation of crude oil via rail, Collins asked Foxx about the urgent need to move forward with rule making regarding tanker cars and oil spill-response plans. Collins cited the tragic oil spill that occurred in Lac Megantic, Canada (near Maine) in 2013 as proof of the need for regulations and spill-response plans.

Foxx answered the question rapidly, noting that his department is serious about the issue and dangers. He promised a comprehensive rule would be implemented to affect prevention, mitigation and emergency response.