Come to order, thank you. I ask unanimous consent to authorize the trip to declare recess during the hearing. And without objection, so ordered. As a reminder, all of you are out there remotely. Please keep your microphone open, muted, or i will be yelling at you to insert a document into the record, please email it to documents so the united and with that, going to give a brief opening statement. I want to thank the secretary for being here today. We are holding this hearing to do some oversight on the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment jobs act. I appreciate you being here to tell us about the progress. This may be a long day and i appreciate the fact that you are going to make time available, in the hope that all members will have an opportunity. So, we will move along quickly and we are going to strictly observe time limits. So that we can move through this with as many members participating as possible. I really appreciate the fact that the money is getting out the door at a record pace. I mean, this is something that ive been looking forward to and working on since obama was president , when i passed the bill on a subcommittee to increase spending by 350 billion, which, at that time, seemed like a phenomenal amount and obviously, this one is that 660 billion dollars finally after 12 years. We weave this is larger than anything else that department has ever had to deal with before. As i understand it, seven mueller funds, issue notices of funding opportunities for tens of billions more for 22 competitive Grant Programs. This is absolutely unprecedented in terms of the investments were making and the pace at which we are putting this money out. The stakes are high. We want to get this money out. Inflation is eating into the more quickly we can commit the funds, the more we will get done. And i expect that we will hear some criticism from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. You know, sadly, almost none of them here today are in this committee voted for this legislation. Which was amazing to me. At the time of passage, i know donald trump dont like it because he couldnt do it and this actually got done. But it is a record amount of a long overdue investment. We arent just, as i said before, were not just employees. Were not gonna do eisenhower eight point oh. At the same time, youre looking at your guidance on fix it first, something that was stripped out by the senate. The ten members of the senate, ten republicans and two democrats none of whom have a major role in any of the three committees of jurisdiction in the senate who wrote this bill. They used our template in terms of money, and more routine things, but they bristled at the idea that we would deal meaningfully with Climate Change and highway building which will not serve our problems as we all know that there is induced demand. I talked a lot about the Virginia Railway as opposed to expanding 95 shells, and i was hoping, and im hoping states will replicate that around the country where we can reduce Carbon Pollution, move people more efficiently, and look towards the 21st century system in this country. I appreciate the fact that you are encouraging the state, you are not mandating or penalizeing them. Youre not taking away decisionmaking authority, but we are asking them, and ive spoken to the association of state highway officials about this, take a look at this, fix it first, do the critical maintenance we need to do, and then secondly, look when youre having a contested and congestion problem, look and see what is the best solution. Attempt to build more highway miles or is there a way to move the people more efficiently. I also appreciate the fact that i will be sending you a letter soon to support your efforts to require measurement, the reduction of Greenhouse Gases. This administration is by our second source of Carbon Pollution and we need to address that. So with that set i would now yield to the Ranking Member. Thank you, mr. Chairman for calling this hearing. Thank you mister secretary for being here today. Since you last testified before the committee, congress did pass the 1. 2 trillion dollar infrastructure package. And although many members on my side of the aisle voted against it, mostly because there was no republican input, and ultimately, no house input in the bill, having said that, i recognize that its now the law of the land and i respect that fact. My focus now will be on the oversight of the law and make sure its implemented efficiently, and its a dares to the letter of the law. And why is this so important . Because our nation is dealing with crisis after crisis from a spending crisis to an energy crisis. We have a supply chain crisis, a Workforce Shortage crisis, and all of these problems are heat feeding into a historic inflation crisis. And a sustained in play shunt has increased by hundred 50 . Americans cannot buy the same amount of food, gasoline, or other necessities where there are 100 as they could a year and a half ago. Obviously, not by a long shot. The same holds true for infrastructure dollars. They sent some pretty grim warnings last week during our roundtable on inflation. Companies working in the transportation space are struggling, with exploding cars across the board. And so many of these companies cant shoulder the risk of inflation which means some of the businesses, especially smaller ones, are unable to bid on some of the jobs. At the same time, states are writing their transportation budgets. As they have the Impossible Task of estimating project costs, which are going to continue to increase exponentially. In my home state of missouri, theyre estimating that theyre going to go 100 and 50 million over budget in our current transportation plan. States are receiving fewer and fewer beds on their projects. With all of the regulatory red tape, they arent able to get through the process and time for a companys proposal to stay true to their original estimated costs. Thats why its incumbent upon the department and congress to make sure that every single dollar from the law counts and is directed towards projects safely and efficiently to move people to move goods and clear the bottlenecks they are adding to the supply chain crisis. There are many stakeholders have expressed concerns about the administrations implementation of the infrastructure law. I share some of those concerns. Just to highlight a few, with one of the concerns to me and many others is that, december 16th of last year, the federal Highway Administration guidance memo [inaudible] you spoke of some of the concerns raised since this guidance was issued, but i hope you recognize the fact that it remains as serious concern, serious source of concern and confusion, because it pushes the administrations own priorities, including a bias towards adding new highway capacity, or whats written in the law itself. Another related concern i have is the number of the departments, competitive grant notices, that also include language doubling down on the federal highway guidance. The notices for Grant Programs like the info grabs, raise, the mega grants rule, and the reconnecting communities that all clearly show that the administration is made majorly focus as the needs to be on transportation policy and projects that actually improve mobility. One additional concern i want to highlight is in regard to the one federal decision, provisions, which were included in the law and are critical to cutting the red tape for so many of the projects. Instead of simply implementing the ftc provisions, the administration released its action plan on project permitting on may 11th, and it doesnt seem to mention oh ftc. So again, heres another example of the [inaudible] explicit policy which the administration seems to be ex ignoring in favor of the accelerated projects in favor of its own agenda. A result of the administration putting its agenda ahead of the law, of the land, and even acting in contradiction to the law in some cases is the infrastructure funding. Already, its dramatically devalued by this crippling inflation. This has been pointed out. Its been diluted even further. This is not shaping up to be the infrastructure bill that americans were promised. And now more than ever, this Administration Needs to focus on Real Infrastructure and on policies that can get us out of so many of these crises. With that, i do want to thank the chairman again for holding this hearing, and thank you very much second mister secretary. I know you are busy, but coming before congress, it matters a lot of us. I think the Ranking Member, now, i would like to formally recognize the pete but a judge, the secretary of transportation. Thanks again for joining us today. We look forward to your testimony. Without objection, the witnesses full statement will be included in the record, and ensure that written testimonies will be part of the record. The committee will of course limit your initial remarks to five minutes. With that, you may proceed. Good morning, thank you very much. Chair defazio. Thank you, Ranking Member phase, and thank you members of the committee for the opportunity to join you this morning. Before i begin, i would like to particularly recognize you, chair defazio, for 36 years of extraordinary service, and to congratulate you on your upcoming retirement. There are a few who can claim to have done more than you did, champion safety, to promote Environmental Justice unto advanced Transportation Systems to benefit all americans. I also want to acknowledge that earlier this, year we lost a member and former chair of this committee, the Lab Representative don young who represented the people of alaska for nearly a century. Half a century. And was often willing to cross the aisle to get things done for the american people. Thanks to leaders like tara, representative young, and so many of you, we have the most transformative transportation investment in most of our lifetimes, and former investment in jobs act. And it couldve come at a more important time from delays at ports, to fred congestion, to shortages in aviation, American Transportation has rarely confronted this many intersecting challenges at once, both immediate and entrenched. Nearly 43,000 people died in traffic crashes last, year each of them apparent, child, colleague, or friend. Transportation produces more Carbon Emissions than any other sector. At a time when the nations of the world are rallying to confront the climate challenge. And as americans grapple with the effects of inflation, we know that transportation is the second largest household expense after housing. Affecting every family budget. This was also, though, a moment of enormous opportunity. The reason for optimism. Thanks to the infrastructure law, my department has never seen a moment of greater potential than now. To build transportation resources, that connects everyone safely, efficiently, and affordably. To the things we need and the people we love. Needless to say, weve been busy. Weve already announced nearly 84 billion dollars in Grant Funding from across the department. Every few days, we have another great announcement. Bridge repair programs that will help us move more goods, more affordably, and people, more safely. A National Electric charging network that will potentially bring cost saving technology to Rural Communities and help fight the climate crisis. Safety initiatives that will reduce crashes and save lives. For example, getting rid of outdated Railroad Crossings to prevent tragedies like the one we saw recently in cherokee county. Ranking member graves, my thoughts are with your constituents, the passengers, the families, who were impacted by that derailment. I want to emphasize the d. O. T. Will continue to support the investigation to improve Railroad Safety nationwide. From safety to reliability, to affordability, name a dimension of transportation that you deal with in the daily life, we have a program addressing it. All of this is going to help people get where they need to go well creating jobs and Economic Opportunity across the country. You all know better than anyone that passing the law is only the first step. Success means, delivering good projects that improve the lives of your constituents. Ill give you just a few examples of the work were supporting. A piano michigan is a community of fewer than 10,000 people were largest employers is the summit plant. We offered the city founding to revitalize ports. Means a peanut and better access to material access to baltimore, it could take hours to get home from work if you dont have a car. So refunding ten new miles of dedicated bus lands to connect residential neighborhoods with major employers, in a single quarter that supports more than 180,000 jobs. In 2007, finley, ohio, a ton of 40, 000, flooded. Businesses and homes were damaged or forced to move. Now, were helping them replace a central lucky old railroad bridge that will not only help people get to work but also reduce the risk of flooding damage in the future. These are just a sample of among literally thousands of projects that will help americans live and work where they want, help businesses deliver bid products, and help families say for the future. It can even save lives. And this could work, we will need your continued leadership and partnership, as well as that of communities across the country, organized labor, businesses, state, tribal, and local officials, and so many more. Together, we have the opportunity to improve count this lives, support good paying jobs, strengthen americas manufacturers, modernize our infrastructure for decades to come. And cement americas position as the worlds leading economy. So thank you once more for inviting me to be here today and i am looking forward to addressing your questions. Thank you mister secretary. I will now move on to questions. I will first recognize the chair of the subcommittee. Norton, for her questions. They will be virtual. Thank you very much, mister chairman. And thank you, mister buttigieg for being here today. As you know, the department of transportation [inaudible] recipients have historically been pivoted [inaudible] utilizing geographic or economic [inaudible] preferences regarding the use of labor on gotv funding transportation projects. But the new infrastructure law provided new Statutory Authority for recipients of d. O. T. Grants [inaudible] local hiring preferences. We call them local hires. On construction contracts. As a former mayor yourself, can you explain what this new Authority Means for cities and grant recipients carrying out infrastructure funding, for example grant recipients, required to utilize [inaudible] hud thank you very much. As both secretary and as mayor, ive heard too often stories from neighborhoods that have long craved some kind of Infrastructure Investment finally see it only for residents to look at the worksite and wonder if any of the people getting the good paying jobs, working on that project, come from anywhere near the area where the project is being done. But as you mentioned, earlier, our ability to support that kind of work was restricted to pilot programs. Using the authority provided for us in the new law, we will be able to support local hiring provisions to extend their support on the ground in ways that we think are going to contribute enormously to opportunity and communities that perhaps in the past had been left out to gray paint job creation and what comes with it. We will continue to use the authorities provided in the law to support that kind of work and support that extension of access to opportunity for so many who have not felt like they are part of it, in administrations or in years past. They can use local hiring preferences, are they required to use local hiring preferences . Im sorry, could you repeat the question . Grant recipients, are they required to utilize local hiring preferences . We encourage local higher, it depends of course on the program. Federal aid highway programming now paves the way for grant recipients to do so. We will be working with them every step of the way. Okay, i will be encouraging my [inaudible] local hiring preferences. I would like to ask you about a station here in the district of columbia, the federal Railroad Administration recently revised its proposal. To [inaudible] station, i would appreciate the renewed focus on the transport rail, bus riders, along with cyclists that are provided in this proposal. But its also critical to ensure that the Station Design works for d. C. Residents who rely on local transit, food, and retail options. And who will be impacted on a daily basis by changes and traffic, what happens in the area. What is the department doing to engage with local residents about the project and account for their needs and suggestions Going Forward . As your question importantly nodes, there are many modes of transportation that converge at union station. And while it is known certainly in intercity rail and Long Distance travel, its also significant as a hub for transit, and as a retail site that is very meaningful for the immediate neighborhood, but in terms of access to retail, in terms of access to jobs. We considered very important, as we would in any project but certainly with the over lapping qualities here. With the voices of Community Members to be heard. I know its expressed partly through you and through your office. But also for there to be immediate means of inputs and we will work with the project sponsor knowing that the district of columbia of course is very hands on with this to make sure that we support that kind of participation and all those relevant concerns or heard. Thank you. Thank the gentlelady. And i invite Ranking Member undress. My question is very simple. Because one things im concerned about and been active in over the years is how to make the Highway Trust Fund solvent. Weve obviously got a lot of vehicles on the road that arent pound for the use of the road. Again, its something that ive been active in. And i know there was an alternative funding born, i think, it was put in the infrastructure plan. Im curious of how thats coming along. I know weve had some pilot projects going on out there. Some empty pilot projects in a few things. I dont know were not talking about that anymore. And i know its a Monumental Task when its eventually going to have to be tackled to figure that out. Curious on your thoughts and where we are in that process and how those pilots are going. Thank you, yes, the pilots that were authorized previously through the fasttrack number, states have pursued them and were always interested in their experience and trying to get information about the results there. Further pilots are provided for the and i ha and we will support that work as well. I think ultimately, there is some profound policy considerations that will need to be addressed in terms of the long term viability of the Highway Trust Fund. As you know for the ig, it was important to this administration. Not to take any steps that would be inconsistent with the president s commitment, not to raise taxes on anybody in some way shape, or form, we need to be prepared for a model of sustainable Highway Trust Fund that is different from the one weve inherited. As these pilots continue to take shape, and we can update your office on the federal side of how we are laying the groundwork for that, i think will give us some important data points that we are going to need, especially if congress decides for the long run that its not as prepared as it has been in the past to commit general from dollars to the purpose. We will continue to pull general fun dollars an. And i worry about that. The precedent it sets. And transportation, weve always tried to be a pay as you go and a fee based process. And im concerned about just the movement away from that and it is a concern. Thanks. I yield back. Okay, thank the gentleman. Now representative Eddie Bernice johnson. Yes, thank you very much. And let me thank the secretary for making himself available for the job he is doing on behalf of the administration. And i want to thank you for visiting dallas fort, but you only saw two programs. So i hope youll be coming back soon. Its critically important to make sure that everyone is benefiting from this legislation. Could you discuss with the federal d. O. T. Is doing to ensure that this advantage is working properly and are getting tearing a getting a fair share of these transportation dollars . Thank you for the question. This is very important to us. Its of course the rationale for the d programs that are provided for in the law. And also, just an essential matter of fairness, and terms of the Business Opportunity that parallels, in my view, the fairness and labor opportunity that was at stake and the question that representative norton asked earlier. In order to make good on that, we have been actively working, not just to ensure that there is compliance with the d b law, but in order to make sure that we are better alerting the d b e community to the Business Opportunities that it might create. For example, our office in small disadvantaged business utilization has been preparing events around the country to help bring together officials and contractors to preview the opportunities and get a better sense of how to [noise] for those opportunities. Well the gentleman suspend for one second. I believe someones microphone is on and i believe that might be elena holmes norton. Please mute your microphones. Continue mister secretary. Thank you. We recognize that our processes need to be user friendly especially if we are trying to expand the base of historically excluded Business Owners who have access to these federal opportunities. We will be working with the states, the transit agencies, and others who are being funded, while also making sure that we meet our own Ambitious Goals for direct federal procurement. Which have been increased this year on the std side. 20 . Making sure that we meet our goals and house. I think it will give us important expertise and experience which will be relevant for us to work with, the states on the other partners on, for the effective conclusion of various businesses and opportunities created by the bill writ large. Thank you very much. Now, i know that this is not important to a lot of people, but cities that were impacted by highways and disadvantaged communities are really concerned about [inaudible] im hoping that we will provide some robust funding and we commit to communities. I know in my district, in dallas, texas, the downtown area, we have at least two major areas. Im hoping there will be some [inaudible] to those important reconnections. Thank you, we had the pleasure of rolling up the reconnecting communities earlier in bringing him, and weve seen enormous interest around the country knitting together places that have been separated or divided by a piece of infrastructure, we had a railway, a highway, and interchange, or something else. I think we will learn a great deal through this first ever round of applications coming in, and we recognize that the program will very likely be oversubscribed, they will get more than 210 million worth of applications this. Here but also hope that in the work that we will be able to fund that to like the way for what jurisdictions might be able to do with their own dollars, even if not earmarked for this purpose, knowing it benefits the entire community with better Transportation Networks while also addressing some of the harms that had been created by choices in the past. Thank you very much. And thank you mister chair, i think my time has expired. U mister chai thank the gentl. And now representative crawford. Thank you, mister chairman. Thank you, mister secretary for being. Very concerning on the theme. You announced a billion Dollar Program aimed at combatting alleged racism in road projects. At the same time, d. O. T. Is actively supporting the construction of the doomed california high speed rail project, despite reports that indicate the project is in fact displacing and destroying low income minority communities in the tracks path. My question is, why are you dismantling existing highways in the name of Racial Equity while youre also supporting a project that is actively harming low income minority communities . Every project has an impact. What we think the law provides for is a process for local communities to weigh in on how this impacts affect them. And unless there is a civil rights violation, and which case my department, of course, will vary proactively address it, it falls to the project sponsor to decide how the balance those concerns. But in terms of the highway work, the way i view it is, if federal dollars were ever used in a way that separates or segregates, then a pretty good use of federal dollars now would be to connect and to address those harms. And my view also is that the entire community, not just those who were disadvantaged, is better off when it communities served by transportation infrastructure that does in fact connect more than it divides. That sounds pretty good rhetorically. But in reality, what we know is that this money pit in california thats largely being subsidized by federal tax dollars is doing exactly what you purport to prevent with this billion dollar allocation. I think thats worth revisiting at some point and determine if the certainly that is happening, is that a good expenditure of money. But let me move on in the interest of time. Ranking member graves mentioned 550 increase in inflation since your boss took power. Its wreaking havoc on economy and small suppliers and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises that work in that space. Companies cannot afford the cash flow this increased inflation and shoulder that risk. Whats worse is its creating a vacuum in the marketplace that allows for Foreign Companies to come in and further doesnt make u. S. Industries and economies. My question is, candiotti provide guidance to states and other recipients that inflation adjustments are required in terms of transportation contracts . Cost containment is a major focus for us right now and implementing the law because we are hearing this from both project sponsors and the business community. The impact of cost escalation and inflation is unquestionably going to affect our ability to deliver. Im less sure that this is something that would put u. S. Companies at a disadvantage to International Companies for the simple reason that inflation is international. I was just in germany a few months ago, inflation there is somewhere about eight or 9 . A German Company i magic would face the same kind of cost escalation im less concerned about a German Company, and more concern about a Chinese Company that subsidizes out of much higher rate than anybody else. And they do that, obviously, for reasons to disrupt our economy and jeopardize our national security. Thats my focus there is to make sure were not creating an opportunity for chinese s o eased to come in and occupy space that should be occupied by u. S. Businesses, particularly these dves that we are trying to ensure have an opportunity to perform in the marketplace. Let me move on, has d. O. T. Performed a legal analysis to see what is possible . To see what is possible to address inflation . Sure. Were looking at it every day. We dont need legal analysis to tell us that weve got to make sure that im talking about contracting process. In terms of imposing a new requirement on the states . I have not addressed imposing additional requirements on the states for this purpose. But we can certainly look into that if what im asking is, for contract reviews to address inflation, has there been a legal analysis there . Because when this was implemented, and weve seen inflation continue on an upward trajectory, and there are no provisions offered to address that. So, we are seeing that its very difficult for companies to maintain pace with this rise of inflation. So i guess what im asking is are contracts firm, are they fixed, is there any provisions in place for addressing inflation . Often, contrast will have a contingency factor that can affect any unanticipated pressure. Do they have a contingency factor . Again, it would depend on the specific program involved. But will work with your office to see if you agree that thats adequately contemplated in the contract framework. Any provisions being discussed about what can be done what d. O. T. Can help Small Businesses and be used to continue to participate in this market . We think that could were doing everything we can to ensure that projects move forward swiftly. The greater the rate of inflation, the greater the cost of delay. So as were looking at everything from Technical Assistance to support moving through the permanent process, that something that becomes even more important than a high inflation environment. Other mechanisms that i think could make a difference here are ones that could look at the timing of the spikes you see in the costs of some of the different inputs. Not that you can predict the divergence between the divergence of the cost of steel and labor three years from now, but there are ways to help project sponsors like transit agencies or state highway departments, at least map out where some of the bulges are likeliest to occur in the availability or the restriction of supply. And i think that could make a difference to. Thats an example of this kind of thing where exploring with them as we partner and try to get the most value for these tax player dollars. Thank you, how yield back. Thank you, gentlemen. We now turn to representative larson. Thank you, mister chair. Secretary, all covid funding we passed. 800 million Dollar Program thats put in included contributions from states, tribal governments, to replace courts. A big issue in our state. When can we expect information about a covid Funding Program . Were hard at work on this, its New Territory for us in many regards. Weve been working with inter Agency Partners like the u. S. Fish and wildlife services, and others. Ive told my team at like to see this guidance out by the time the seven are finished running. Hopefully well be before the peak. Thats the best answer can give you. There may not be any someone at all if we dont get the covered funding. I would thank so much. Change and the directional bit, one aspect of the equity question. Weve been exploring equity issues and my district and throughout the country and its theres a lot of variety in how people define equity and so on, but there are aspects of. It one has to do with equity of Data Collection. If we dont collect the data, then we dont really know specifically how it impacts some communities. Making it impossible for duty to factor in the adjusting to quit ease. How have you used Data Collection for an represented groups and how is that factored in the equity plan action . Equity action plan in the d. O. T. . What were trying to do is strike the right balance between gathering enough data to set good policy and know how we are doing in terms of the impacts of our policies and projects in these communities, without creating a burdensome lowincome communities are small Rural Communities. Its what we want to most help from an Equity Perspective that funded prohibitive to apply for projects or to participate in our processes. I think that balance leaves room to data we have a responsibility to do that. We have a relatively little visibility for example on who gets economic benefit of the dollars once they go out of our building, so to speak. And i think that especially given what technology now makes possible in terms of managing this data, were in a position to, what i hope will be, a administrate of lightweight fashion gather more information that weve ever had and use that for decision support. Many examples, the [inaudible] data tracker on shared with the mayor is the the lack of capacity to apply for competitive grants, competitive grants that are called role transportation grants, and they dont have the capacity to get their arms around that. Have the d. O. T. Pop to this problem . Cause i know that the mayor heard about this issue through the implementation. Phase two things where at least two things i can point to. It reflects my experience as mayor of where city should have the communities are much smaller than my town. The first step is to make the process simpler. When you see is taking a step by combining a focused and the rule surface transportation program, part of what were trying to do is try to have fewer pages of paper out there in the process. So that it is easier to navigate an applicant of any size. The second is to make sure were practically engaging projects monsters or would be projects monsters. Theres always gonna be more demand than we can support. The kind of direct Technical Assistance that can help walk them through the process, especially when youre looking at a first time applicant. Thanks. Workforce issues and equity groups, you testified on this with the question of the d b e. And you have in some respects other other steps the d. O. T. Is taken to ensure that minority owned businesses are considered foreign selected for these projects . Quite a few. And part of how i view this is that its not only a matter of fairness, although thats reason enough. But also the volume in the pace of infrastructure work were taking on as a country is going to demand everything that we can provide as a country as far as talent. Entrepreneurial talent and skilled work. But that means is we cant succeed that we leave any talent on the table. As you look across our programs, some of them cant support Workforce Department some of it doesnt require that, but certainly leave space for projects to do so. And the events and i stop you there . I want to respect the five minute rule. And before the chair makes me respect the five minute rule. But ill follow up with your staff for the rest of your answer. Thanks. Thank you, gentlemen. Representative gibbs. Thank. You mister secretary, to follow up on the questions. My understanding of the transport Authority Broad guidance on at least one of their regional officers that regulations are allowed the federal resources to cover material costs increases from previously negotiated contracts. I would have to get back to you on how much time of the different administrations are trying to accommodate those things. You can concur that the federal transport authority has done that . Ill make sure. But i certainly dont know anything about that that would contradict. It also, do you agree that investing in federal Port Infrastructure dollars, improving efficiency, including automation, and new technologies would help improve profit operations and really bottlenecks . We believe in funding Port Infrastructure that will make a positive difference to support the ports apology to move ports and are you aware that there are restrictions on using federal dollars for these purposes for automation and basically, automation infrastructure . As you look nino, theres a lot of difference of opinion and difference in the research on where automation in fact yields the productivity increases and where it doesnt. Theres quite a bit of skepticism about how that could work in the u. S. Context. That said, there are so many things that we can invest in, that we are investing in, that unquestionably benefit efficiency imports. But the point Infrastructure Development program in the last, when we send about 52 million to long beach. That will allow them to build at least 10,000 have a truck go between get the containers on the way. We will continue to look for ways to support through put. Usually, in a fashion that benefits the surrounding community. I would think, sometimes theres some resistance on automation and new technologies because labor issues and all that. And i think, if historically, where wed be in the Agricultural Community if wheat resisted automation, where would we be if we protected the phone operators back in the 70s, the time that new technologies come from that. Historically, the result is different new jobs i think its something to keep in the back of your head, automation sometimes is tough but its the correct way to go. At least, historically across many sectors in our economy. You may be aware that pipelines are the self safe this and efficient environmentally to transport energy. Yet, im certain that this administrations and right alltime highs, congress, back in 2020, passed Bipartisan Legislation to boost Pipeline Safety and efficiency. Can you please provide us an update on this law that was passed . Its been hard to work to make sure that the provisions acts pipe is an act. And making sure that we have the right sort of stuffing to support it. And the rule makings that are called for an legislation. I will be happy to get you more details. But the bottom line is, we will continue to meet our safety emission. Whatever other policy questions are being debated and fans that has taken a number of steps to, i believe in, has even in the time since the legislation was passed, to enhance our already very strong track record in terms of safety. And your purview, and safety, your jurisdiction, i dont think theres been any pipelines permitted in this administration. Maybe your purview might come up in the core, the pa. But this restricting pipeline permitting access and exploration and the United States is limiting our exploration and ability to produce more energy because if you dont have a pipeline with the natural gas, and they cant produce the welsh. I would just make that comment. Also, the Maritime Administration permits for deep water ports, thats the only thing they have granting permit for. Theres been a release of Environmental Impact studies. I understand they [inaudible] even those such an administration [inaudible] d. E. I. S. I guess, this administration, if they meet all of their permits, if the permit meets all the requirements, Maritime Administration would pause provide a positive record on this administration. Once applicants have fully satisfy the requirements of the irs, then the port can be licensed. I can tell you the last three, years merits and gauged in over 20 companies with interest in developing new facilities with a deepwater wart export applications that came in during that time. I believe two of those were drawn, but the remaining six are under review. We will review them according to responsibilities the mayor has under the law. I hope they meet the requirements that were approved. I thank, you i yield. Back thank you, gentlemen. We turn to representative nepal a ton. Thank you mister chair. Mister secretary, thank you for announcing the funding opportunity for Railroad Crossing elimination program. Funding is incredibly important to my district. And the money for the [inaudible] is ignorant with just a significant is the coordination beef tween government sponsors and the private Railroad Company that can held up the unnecessary power Railroad Improvements on pecks paradigm and delays. How can the department ensure that Railroad Companies and all stakeholders are effective partners will secondly, i greatly appreciate the administrations justice for anti initiative that directs funds to disadvantaged communities. Is the justice Forward Initiative being implemented for all your programs, and in particular, your transit Capital InvestmentGrant Program . One more question, and im very proud to have Foothill Transit in my district. In the nation for more than a decade and they like to fuel zero emission buses and has invited you to visit facilities. I extended an invitation to you, personally, and a letter that i just had to do. The buses hows fta working with experienced [inaudible] to ensure information and best practices are shared amongst transportation agencies as they receive infrastructure law funding for zero emission buses . Let me try to take those in reverse order. So with regard to the zero mission buses, we recognized a lot of agencies like Foothill Transit that already have quite a bit of expertise in this regard. We want to make sure that thats taken on board, so fdas doing a lot of convening through transit vehicle deployment centers to try to bring the different players together. And i believe Foothill Transit was among the agencies on and it values of panel in a position to share their expertise on this because we do need to make sure that more agencies understand and are equipped to take advantage of the funding and to make these clean vehicles are gonna be so important for their future. With regard to justice 40, i can tell you that the entire 20 billion dollar per year program of the fta supports equity transportation and these can take different forms, and the formal criteria and guidance related to justice 40 is still being framed up at the inter agency level. Were certainly not waiting to take actions that are going to meet those goals, knowing that so many of the communities that are overburdened and underserved are also those that stand to gain the most from having excellent convenient, accessible, and clean transportation brought to them, and the Economic Opportunity that comes with it. On the great crossings, this is an issue that were hearing about from communities in every part of the country of every size. And we consider very important, not only from a safety perspective, of course, but also as we discuss issues like more fluid movement of goods and cargo. This is certainly concern, because those crossings ares associated with slow orders and other measures for safety purposes that wind up impacting the fluidity of the overall system. We are pleased to have now the dedicated Railroad Crossing elimination program. In addition to other rail funding like chris even that can help in this regard. We are actively engaging in all the different players, communities, railroads, and other interested stakeholders on how to make sure that this can be effectively used. It can be challenging because sometimes there is an infrastructure owner that is different than the project sponsor. You imagine the city coming to the table, wanting to get rid of a great crossing, needing to engage with the railroad that actually has the asset. And so, we are doing what we can to make sure that there is the right communication so that these applicants could be successful. Thank you very much. The fact that the railroads have been good partners in my area, but they still dont provide the funding necessary to complete the project, or at least be a partner where the state and the flood. And then, on the Grant Program, with the trans Capital Investment program sorry, what about the Capital Investment . That was on the justice. 40 yes, i can tell you that the whole intent of transit programming writ large is to connect people to opportunities of where they have to, be and the kind of communities that justice 40 is looking at are often those that stand against a great deal that is being done in sea ig. And so again, what i would emphasize is, even in those areas where may or may not fit the formal or technical definition of justice 40, they will certainly cig will have criteria that is relevant to the spirit of the program. Thank you very much, mister secretary. Thank. You thank you, gentlelady. Representative webster. Thank you, chair. Thank you secretary for appearing. We really appreciate it. As you know, the revenue from the Highway Trust Fund is not sufficient to meet the Transportation Needs and so, over the years, since maybe 2017, 2008, we put money in. And its been spent, and it will be spent again, in the next, rios and we will have to do it again. So in 2027 we will run out of money again. Championed of gas tax holiday. Those are things that take away revenue not up to it. My question is, do you have a something that wouldnt negatively affect that we can put our teeth into that would rebuild what is there, including maybe something that would tax electric vehicles . Certainly, i want to emphasize that when the president asked congress to consider the gas tax holiday, he called for what is that what the larger point is well taken. As we continue to transition across to electric vehicles and several million vehicles, it means that were going to have to have other means for filling gaps in the Highway Trust Fund. Up until now, congress has been prepared to do that through general from transfers. That is certainly a legitimate way to fund our highway needs. Its not the only, way and its not consistent with the past practice of a user pays principle. How to enact an alternative, these are the kinds of things the fastest law provided for exploring the pilot, some states have begun doing that and there will be more work in that regard too. I think that will give us more technical insights. But i think ultimately, this will be not a technical decision but a policy one. That largely comes down to whether congress will continue to hold to the yourss or pay principle or seek alternative ways for funding. Have you considered some sort of toll facility which every vehicle will pay if they have to go through the toll booth . Is that something that is an option . I grew up in Northern Indiana where 80, 90 is funded as a toll road. That suddenly something that were accustomed to on certain heavily trafficked roads, especially if they were built or maintained with that in mind. I think its tougher to imagine where that could be implemented on a widespread basis. Unless we can think of a non intrusive way to do that, i think it will be always something that is restricted to more specific and high traffic points, bridges, and certain highways, and something that can answer how the road system with large is funded. How about using private money to do that . Using highway money to erect the toll booths . Private Money Private investment. We think that there continues to be a place for private investment. And if you look at some of the work a rebuild America Bureau has done, on lock of that private value, it holds a lot of promise. I would be less confident that the could answer a question as largescale as how to keep the Highway Trust Fund in order. Thank you very much. I yield back. Thanks the gentlemen. Representative cohen. Thank you, mister chair. This is secretary, i thank you for coming before the committee and for your interesting reminds recognizing the Outstanding Service of our chair, of our former chair, mr. Yang, who was a dear friend. And the work of this committee. I think the last time we spoke, i think you called me about supporting the bill from the senate. And i told you i couldnt do it because i was supportive of my chairman, and the hard work of this committee. Forget about that. I voted for the bill. We had a hearing last week on how road design in the Highway Safety crisis. We learned that speed is a factor, both an increasing the risk of crashes and the severity. Certain high crash risks are locations are responsible for a disproportionate number of fatalities and serious injuries. Memphis was rated the third worst city for pedestrian injuries and accidents. Because the complete streets act passed and its part of the gutted into the jobs act. So a certain percentage of money has to go to those projects. How will complete streets planning initiatives and the completing jobs i changed the way we design our roadways and prioritize safety access for all users over speech . The as you correctly point out a speed, having an approach turbo design that recognizes not only is in the car. Whos in the car, but the road itself and how its designed. Could play a major role in safety. We think we have a safety responsibility to support complete streets in the bipartisan infrastructure law as you know that encourage. Plans that prioritize complete streets projects. I would also point the economic i would also point the economic benefits that, certainly my own experience in my hometown was you applied what we consider a complete streets treatment to a downtown thoroughfare and saw a lot of benefit to Small Business from there being more foot traffic because people felt safer walking along the street once it had gone through those upgrades. We have delivered the report to congress that was called for. Called moving to a complete straits design model, which offers the federal Highway Administrations guidance, and identifies some of the resources that can be helpful, we do not aim to prescribe all of the details about what makes for a good complete straight. We know the local jurisdictions will come up with their own ideas, we wanted to provide a framework and provide support. I would also emphasize among other Funding Sources that would be legitimate application for complete straits, certainly with the safe streets and roads for all program. Which is one billion dollars annually over the next five years. That is one area where we will consider the complete straits fan right well. Thank you, sir, i just hope that you would concentrate a specific focus on road quarters that of the most Serious Problems based on highrisk including memphis. I know you will do that. Going to a bit of a lightning round, here, Passenger Rail is important for the people of my city and my state, we would like to connect memphis and nashville, those are the two of the iconic and large cities that are not connected, most are. Are there funds that are in the bill that would help tennessee pursue intercity Passenger Rail services between National Memphis . Certainly, the bill providing for greater investment passage in Passenger Rail that weve seen since the inception of amtrak. Certainly involves funds where i would expect that anyone with a vision for intercity rail like that would be interested in applying. Well be interested to see i hope you hope. I dont know if youre a fan of Country Music or not, but Country Music says more songs about leaving nashville and going to memphis than anything else. So, it would be an important corridor. Airports important to you and, unfortunately, we do not have a direct flight from memphis to nashville any longer because were no longer a hub city. We applied for an airport grant and i appreciate your nonpartisan ship and given 5 million to chattanooga getting that money out. But at the word didnt get to memphis. Can you can give me an idea about why memphis might be able to do to get a second round of funding . Airport is older, it needs a seismic zone in case of fault impossible earthquake. We have a very poor population and low income. Memphis is an ideal city to get help, can you give me an idea about how memphis might receive that . Yes. There are several fund that it became available to the infrastructure law, in addition to the ongoing availability of the airport improvement program. So, we would certainly welcome, excuse me, applications from those applicants who didnt make it in the last round of the airport terminal program. We have several more rounds to go and it was certainly over subscribed, wed love to fund as many of those projects as we can. As well as, depending thats where most of the passenger facing investments would be, out of the airport terminal program. But for other improvements, from tarmac to apron too runway to tower, there are a lot of Additional Resources now available, thanks to the infrastructure law that could also be in areas where they might want to apply. Thank you, my times expired but i want to rethank you for coming to memphis when the bridge closed down and for visiting fedex and getting part of the underwriters bill and implementing it in the bipartisan act. Thank you, i yield back the balance of my time. Thank you, gentlemen. Representative massie . Thank you, chairman. Secretary buttigieg, ive been driving an electric car for ten years and ive had solar panels for 15 years, im really bullish on technology and the ways it can help make our country energyindependent, or more energyindependent. But im really alarmed at the naivete of those who are promoting rapid adoption of these technologies, with their existing infrastructure. President biden signed a nonbinding executive order stating about 50 of vehicles sold in the United States should be electric by 2030. Do you support that . Yes. He also said that, by 2035, that 100 percent of the federal fleet, federal government fleet, should be electric. Do you support that . Yes. So, which uses more electricity . Were talking about residential electricity here. A refrigerator when its running or an electric car when its charging in your garage . I would expect the car. Would you say it uses twice as much or 25 times as much . I would think closer to 25 times as much, yeah. Its actually 50. At the instantaneous moment. But, over the course of the year, if i take the numbers from the u. S. Department of energy about the average household and how many vehicles they own and how far they drive, over the course of the year, an American Household would use 25 times as much electricity for an electric car as they would for their refrigerator. If they had 100 percent adoption. If the average family has two vehicles, this would be if the average family has two electric vehicles. Do you think it would strain the grid if everybody plugged in 25 refrigerators in every household . Well, if we didnt make any updates to the grid, sure. If we had yesterdays great with tomorrows car, its not going to work. Thats one of the reasons why we believe that infrastructure includes electrical infrastructure, and argued for that to be included. As it thankfully was in the bipartisan law. Do you think by 2030, which is when biden says 50 of cars hold should be electric, do you think the grid will be capable of handling electric cars . Its going to need to be. Were working with the department of energy every day, weve established a joint office of energy and transportation to map out some of the needs. Obviously, some of this gets outside of my lane and weve been discussing with, for example, the truck stops that are looking at what their power needs would need to be at an interchange. Where, today, theyre mainly filling up on gas, in order to accommodate that. And then, as you mentioned, a lot of the scenario for this was also residential. But its also worth pointing out that, while a typical driver who adopt electric is using more electricity, at the end of the day, theyre using less energy because of the efficiency benefits of getting that Energy Produced in utilities. The problem is, we dont have the capacity to use that energy. You aptly use the word need, you could say want as well. There are needs and wants to get this fantasy to work by 2030. But the reality is, the capability is not going to be there. The average household uses 17 of their electricity for air conditioning. That would mean the average household use as 1870 kilowatt hours per year for air conditioning. If that average household plugged in electric cars, do you know how much more electricity they would use, in comparison to the air conditioning that air conditions their whole house . No but, again let me help you with that first, before we go on. Because the numbers are important. It would take four times as much electricity to charge the average household cars as the average household uses on air conditioning. Do you think that could be so, if we reach the goal by 2030 that biden has, a 50 adoption instead of 100 adoption, that means the average household would use twice as much electricity charging one of their cars as they would use for all of the air conditioning that they use for the entire year. Do you think this could contribute to rolling blackouts and brownouts in areas of the country where it conditioning is basically considered essential . Not if we prepare. Look, the fact that people who have electric vehicles are going to use more electricity cant be a reason to give up. The idea that america is inferior to the other countries that have figured this out just doesnt sit well with us in the administration. Thats why were investing in a better grid. In a time i have left, let me just say we shouldnt im not saying we shouldnt prepare. I told, you im bullish on this technology. The numbers and the rate of adoption has been developed using political science, not engineering. Theyre impractical and, if we blindly follow these goals that biden has set out, it will cause pain and suffering for the middle class. And i yield back, mister chairman. Thank the gentleman. Representative johnson . Thank you, mister chairman, for holding this hearing and good to see you, secretary buttigieg. Thank you for your time and your testimony. For decades, communities of color and low income communities have been illserved by our transportation system. Our communities face a higher burden of pollution and fewer affordable, safe transportation options. One means to address this is to build more high quality transit lines, such as the atlanta area transit agency, marta, proposal for the south lake bus Rapid Transit project. Which will serve an area made up of 93 minority individuals. The south lake b r t project is in the pipeline for the federal Capital Investment grants program. The federal Transit Administration is currently developing new guidance for the program, which will significantly influence which projects qualify and receive funding in the future. Mister secretary, how will your department ensure this new guidance and the c. I. G. Program generally, will support equity and provide real results for underserved communities . Were certainly committed to considering equity and other important criteria that belong within the framework of our transit policy. When it comes to c. I. G. , which is among the largest competitive federal Grant Programs, we recognize there is a lot at stake. The president s budget request, 2. 9 billion dollars in general funds for c. I. G. And additional funds in the amount of 1. 6 million are provided through the advanced appropriations that came in c. I. G. The iija. So, thats a total of 4. 5 billion dollars to work with. This is also a project that requires projects to go through an extensive process to ensure that they are going to effectively use those taxpayer dollars. And the evaluation criteria includes things like consideration of Affordable Housing at the transit corridor, credit for projects that serve transitdependent populations and incentives to use alternative fuel vehicles and build environmentally friendly facilities. So, you have my commitment that, as we continue with the process of updating the c. I. G. Program regulations to make sure that the guidance reflects the changes that came by way of the infrastructure law and the initial changes are out for notice and comment, well continue to consider these and other important values and criteria to the extent that the law provides for us to do so. Thank you. And mister secretary, the house recently passed an amendment to the National Defense authorization act that i authored. Which relates to the disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, applicable to a highway, transit and safety programs. The amendment eliminates the gross receipts kept in effect for dbe working on surface transportation projects. This amendment ensure that the definition of a dbe its consistent across d. O. T. Programs, as it brings transportation online, in line, with how the faa defines a dbe. And ensures that d. O. T. Follows sba definitions for a Small Business. Do you support the elimination of the gross receipts cap for surface transportation programs . And also, whats a digital steps in your department is your Department Taking to promote maximum participation by dbe in d. O. T. Programs . First of all, yes, we support that step. We recognize that the sbas government wide Small Business sized enders are more accurate and consistent, in terms of measuring a Small Business. And, so we think thats can address something that we hear very often as a concern from dbe owners. As one Business Owner put it to me, they feel they are sometimes viewed in such a way that they become too small to be big and too big to be small. We are within days of publishing our own notice of proposed rule making, with a number of updates and amendments to our program rules. To modernize and improve the dbe program. We wanted to be more user friendly while maintaining the highest standards of program integrity. And we look forward to getting Public Comment on that proposed rule, as soon as its out. Ill also say, in addition to the formal requirements and rules pursuant to the program, were also just doing a lot of engagement communication. Making sure the dbe Community Knows about the opportunities that are coming and understands where to go, in order to become more involved. And will be engaging the incumbent and larger firms as well about what we consider to be the importance of them being good partners with the smaller disadvantage companies to. Thank you, i yield back. Thank the gentleman. Representative perry . Thank, you chairman. Mister secretary, thanks for being here. Im sure you know, folks, where i live, my bosses, my constituents, are paying about 80 more for gasoline that they were when President Biden became the president. I think the response, i mean, i think its fair to say that even you have implied that they should buy an electric vehicle and absolve themselves of that 80 increase per gallon. Just like at kelley blue book, the price of an ev is about 55,000. Now, that doesnt include, so its actually more than, that there is 7500 dollar per car the subsidy is paid for by about 48 billion dollars in taxes on the same people. On that car. So, its closer to about 60,000. Theres about 20,000 more than a gastric, in passenger car. About 40,000 more than the average compact car. At the same time, im sure you probably also realize that the average pennsylvanian pays about 170 a month and electricity. And that doesnt include the ten to 15 that it has just gone up. So, thats an old number, its actually more than that. And, based on mr. Massies number, which i dont doubt at all, if they could for the electric vehicle and plug it in, were talking about another 90, 100 a month in electric costs. Im wondering what the administration and you are doing, other than subsidizing, other than subsidizing, to lower the cost. Either theyre paying more for gas, 80 , or theyre paying more for electricity. To the tune of essentially doubling their electricity bill. Like, how is this Getting Better for my bosses and what is the Administration Planning to do about that cost . Other than subsidies. Well, im very glad you asked that question. First of, all i want to be clear, nobody i know, certainly not me, thinks that all or even most americans can easily afford electric vehicles. That said, im struck by this 55,000 dollar number that keeps going around. I knew this might come up, so i pulled the sheet of the latest prices. A chevy bolt, and American Made 2022 ev, is 26,595. If you want a pick up truck, like a Chevy Silverado ev or ford f150 lightning, the start and prices of those are 39,000 . Is that pretty subsidiary post subsidy . I think that depends on which automaker, because some of them have gone through the cap for the 7500. And some have not. Did that include state subsidies as well . I dont think so, no. So, thats the new cars. The first time i got a plugin car, for example, chastain and i got one, is about 40,000. Had some miles on, it was a c max, combo, plug in hybrid. Overseeing for the dynamics now is that were close to the point, and may actually be there on certain models and under certain circumstances. Where, to the extent to which your car payment would go up, is actually outweighed already by the extent to which your task bill would go down. Even factoring in the cost of electricity. Now, again, that depends on whats electricity , so youre saying the markets bring it down. Look, i got my numbers from kelley blue book. I those this years numbers . Actually last years. So, but, i dont know that anything, especially used cars, ive actually gone down in price. But my other concern is im sure, if youre not aware, you should be aware, that since about 2010, essentially over 12 years now, weve closed over 550 parrot generations stations. Which is about 102 gigawatts. Were scheduled to retire another 75 gigawatts of coal powered capacity. At the same time, we are asking americans through subsidies and through their purchases to pay for china. Who has, i think you wouldnt argue, 80 to 90 market share of everything back goes into an electric vehicle. Right . Into an electric vehicle. At the same time, we are essentially reducing power and using thomass number, which i think are correct, were going to increase the grid requirement by a least 50 . Which, none of that really works out. Look at a country like ghana which is shutting the lights off now because they follow this model that were following right now. What is the administration doing to make it more affordable to mind Critical Minerals in the United States to support this industry . One thing weve been working on with the department of energy is better sourcing of some of the elements to go into batteries, for example. Ideally, in the United States. If not in the United States then in geopolitically friendly territory. Some of this isnt just mining, some of its actually the refining capacity. Which, is to chinas advantage, weve gotta change that. Our view is, we should accept that as china refines 90 of the we need to bring that to the United States. We would love to bring that refinement capacity more to u. S. Unfriendly countries. Thank you. At this point, ill ask questions and rodney davis will ask questions. And then we are going to recess for about for a vote. Mister secretary, i just want to clarify the issue of the guidance. Which caused a bit of a stir when you issued the guidance on building a better america. As we call it, fix it first, in the legislation that passed out of the house. Lets get straight on the record, who makes a decision on how to invest a portion of highway dollars . Is that the feds or the state d. O. T. . Its up to the state d. O. T. Is. Does anything in their guidance change that . No. Okay. Have you proposed to a limited eligibility for certain types of highway Construction Projects . No. Does d. O. T. Proposed to take away formula or discretionary money from states who add new highway lane capacity . No. Are you forcing any states to build transit or active transportation projects over highway projects . Forcing . No. I do remember youre memorable exchange when miss capito, former member of this committee, asked you before the senate why you are doing this. And you said because its good policy. Which i support. We want people to think these things through, its not a mandate but think about it. As we move forward. Instead of, you know, doing the same thing again and again and again, which doesnt work. We induce more demand, we build more lane miles, we induce more demand, we build more lane miles, and we end up with the same congestion in the end. Secondly, theres been some controversy about your proposed rulemaking on tracking Greenhouse Gas emissions from on road sources. Now, i remember the day when states were allowed to set negative safety targets. Now, you have Performance Management rules in areas such as asset management, bridge and pavement conditions and safety. Has requiring states to set targets and measure their own progress toward these desirable goals helped focus attention in investment . We think it has. I would describe that its good policy too. Okay. Then, just on the exchange about evs and that. I dont know what were going to do with all the mechanics, and that is something were going to start thinking about. But the life cycle cost of an ev its significantly less than a fossil fuel vehicle. When it was penciled out for the post office, unfortunately, the current postmaster general doesnt agree, they would have saved a phenomenal amount of money. Even though there is more upfront caused if they had moved to an ev fleet. So, i think that is something that needs to be taken into account. So, i thank you, i thank you for your testimony. Now, i turn to mr. Davis. Thank you, mister chair. Mister secretary, great to see you again. Its great seeing you at dca last week and i had a chance to chat with you there. I wish i wouldve seen you went congressman boss and i were in our neverending journey to try to get out of laguardia last night, but we dont get a chance to do that. But it is always good to talk transportation. And we appreciate you being here today. I would mention, i was going to ask you about the policy and using bipartisan infrastructure law resources to build a better america that chairman defazio asked about. You are pretty clear in your response to him, i hope that clarification is given to our states. The heads are still some confusion. We have them reaching out to us, wondering what your intention was. So, thank you for that clarification. But moving that it to the states would be beneficial too. I it also includes my provision and i helped craft in the house, the federal decision act. That would streamline federal Environmental Reviews, as you know. Ive talked to mayor landrieu about this, many of my colleagues are worried about getting those dollars at the door. They cant do that without streamlining the review process. What is going on there . The deadlines, including for Consulting Agency is regarding categorical exclusions. Can you please update me on implementing one federal decision . Yes, thanks, we recognize the importance of a swift in prompt process as things are going through. Especially federal requirements on permitting. As our Early Exchange highlighted, thats even more important in an environment with inflation adding to the consequence of things taking any longer than they have to. With regard to the consultant that you mentioned, our department got to work right away on that. It effectively allows one department to engage and other departments categorical exclusions when they qualify. So, as called for in the legislation, d. O. T. Completed a review of our categorical exclusions. We found four areas where we could collaborate with other departments, accelerating the process on projects. Especially helpful with things like post disaster resilience. That, of course, is one of the requirements pursuant to the federal provisions of the law. We are committed to making sure we address all of them. Sure. I would envision, if the majority changes here in the house, any legislation that is passed into law would likely have more Environmental Review provisions like one federal decision. So, implementing it with iija now could be a barometer and how you do it in the future. Mister secretary, amtrak has laid out some Ambitious Goals. Last year, released the connect u. S. Planted a outlined a 15year strategy for expansion. That would, according to, it connect dozens of city pairs. And the corridors mentioned at its 15 year strategy, are you aware that any are ready to move forward and be put into action . So, if im recalling correctly, the quarters are laid out in such a way that some of them are an expansion of service on existing physical structure lines. Others would require more work. I dont have handy the timeline of which could be ready by when. But my understanding is its a mix of things that could be done, relatively quickly. And things that could take more extensive work. When you say relatively quickly, has amtrak or anyone at your agency done any Environmental Reviews for some of these proposed routes . So, depending on the route, we have to see if it would qualify. I think, often, it could qualify for a c e because it could be line existing right away. But i dont know if we have gone as far as any new right of way being proposed and ready for an eis or Something Like that. If you dont have right of way, you probably havent reached any agreements with land owners on any of the proposals . I havent seen it advanced at that level yet. Okay. If you have, get your team back back to us. Also, i know you get a lot of letters of support for the race grants. I know, clearly, you think might have the best, so i just want to remind you of some that ive sent to your agency, the city of decatur and macon county has the brush county and fairies project. Springfield, high speed rail project between chicago and st. Louis. Springfield has done a great job and leveraging federal resources to actually combine three tracks, two tracks into one. In and around springfield. They have two more usable segments, one raised grant and one mp dj grant application. Terminal Rail Association of st. Louis, with the multi modal freight yard expansion in venice. Mclain county, route 66, bike and pedestrian trail. And, in edwardsville, we have looked ocean road and Liberty Ville improvement projects. I will get you a list of those so you dont have to write them down, i appreciate your consideration and any updates. Thank, you i yield back. Thank you. Thank the gentleman. Since we have votes on the floor of the house, the Committee Shall stand in recess and we will return and start again as quickly as possible