Congressional transportation leaders are looking for compromise in crafting legislation to fund the federal highway program and extend the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. A short-term extension of TEA-21 is set to expire Feb. 29, but at this point it is likely to be extended as Congress haggles over funding levels and sources. The House bill (H.R. 3550) seeks $375 billion over six years, with states to get a minimum 95% return on their contributions to the Highway Trust Fund. House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) expects his panel to mark up the bill in early February and then send it to the Ways and Means Committee for a revenue title by mid-February. Following House floor consideration, the bill would be sent for Senate consideration by March 15. But the Senate has its own proposal, a six-year bill (S. 1072) that would authorize $255 billion. The bill was approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee late last year. The legislation also must be considered by the Senate Banking Committee because it has jurisdiction over the transit provisions. Proponents hope to get the Senate plan to the floor for a vote by early February.

Airport Construction Bill Enacted

Airport construction programs are getting a long-awaited shot in the arm following approval of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration and funding the Airport Improvement Program. The four-year authorization will fund the airport grant program at $3.4 billion in FY2004, with that level increasing by $100 million each year after. The legislation also mandates that all taxes and revenues paid into the Aviation Trust Fund are fully spent. The bill's approval triggers the release of funds from the Aviation Trust Fund to finance improvement projects including new runways and terminal buildings. The new law includes provisions to speed the environmental review process so that projects get under way faster.

Appropriations on the Move

Congress has worked its way through several appropriations bills. Legislators agreed to provide $4.57 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the energy and water appropriations legislation for FY2004. The approved funding level is $377 million above the president's request, but $127 million below the current year's level. The bill includes some new construction projects, but primarily restores proposed cuts to existing construction projects. Appropriations for the Department of Interior include funding for U.S. Geological Survey's aggregates research. President Bush signed into law a $9.3 billion military construction appropriations bill that includes more than $5 billion to build or renovate barracks, child development centers and other facilities. The funding level is a drop from FY2003 appropriations, but represents an increase of nearly $200 million more than the Bush administration's request.

OSHA Examines Respirator Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is holding an informal public hearing in Washington, D.C. later this month. OSHA wants more information on its proposed respiratory protection standard, which would add specific requirements for Assigned Protection Factors. APFs refer to the workplace level of protection that respirators are expected to provide employees. The Jan. 12 public hearing is at Labor Department headquarters.

Charlotte S. Garvey is a Washington, D.C.-based writer specializing in environmental, natural resources, and other public policy issues.