[background noises] [background noises] [background noises] called the committee on transportation and the structure to order. I would ask an ms consent the chairman be authorized to declare a racist at any time during todays hearing. Without objection that is so ordered. As a reminder if went to answer the document to the record please also email it documents mail house. Go if you need that repeated talk to staff that got that. I would not recognize myself for the purposes of an Opening Statement. I want to think secretary buttigieg for being here today. We certainly have a lot to discuss. Thank you very much for coming in. As we near the two year mark since passing Infrastructure Investment and jobs act, my focus remains on oversight and the funding and ensuring buttons implement efficiently, effectively heres the letter of the law. Due to persistently high inflation americans continue to struggle to pay for food and clothing and gasoline. With her hard earned dollars. Companies in the transportation space. Continue to pay high prices on commodities and aggregates asphalt, concrete, diesel, you name it. The august 2023 Consumer Price e index report found all items index increased by 3. 7 . That is the highest increase in the cost of gasoline. Once again raising concerns the purchasing power is being eroded it. That is why the department and congress have to ensure that every dollar in the eye ij count directed toward project safely and efficiently to move goods and to prepare our supply chain for obviously future challenges we are going to have it. However many stakeholders have expressed concerns about the implementation followed the intent of the law. In 2023 survey of its Member Companies found amiri 5 of the companies who responded say they have worked on i ij funded projects to date and only 6 responded they successfully bid on projects for which work is yet to begin. We have to endure the regular burdens and fusion of a guidance of her removed to sufficiently administer the infrastructure programs. They have not some of the 180 billion infrastructure funding. Dot office of repeatedly offered the risks of waste and abuse with i ij funds. Responding planes were in place for every program that received funding. By the end of 2023. We look forward to receiving those assessments on time. Docs issued grant requests and rewards. As we have raised before these Grant Programs should file the intent of the law focus on projects actually improve Infrastructure Network and mobility not used guidance to accelerate projects that fit the agenda. It is clear we have work to do a managing current transportation policy and funding. Today we are going to hear about fiscal year 2024 funding request. After store transportation funding increases from i ij the cares act fiscal year 2021 consolidated appropriations act. The market rescue plan, the Inflation Reduction Act for the department 2024 budget request. A 7 increase over 2023 levels. Increases in three to percent increase for Thriving Community initiative 93 increase for the office of civil rights 29 increase for Capitol Improvement grants new funding dot ev. And frankly these requests increase seem ill advised and id unjustified after years of record spending that we have had it. Had. We are responsible for targeting infrastructure supply Chain Networks safely efficiently move people and goods. Now more than ever this administration should be focused on Real Infrastructure improvements but get out of the crisis. But that i want to sincerely want to thank the secretary for being with us today. I look forward to a very productive hearing. I think most of the fireworks are going to be down the hall. And not in here. Again this is eight worker a woe not a show committee. Now i want to recognize Ranking Member larsen for his Opening Statement to quick thank you chair for holding this hearing. I want to welcome secretary buttigieg in advance for what may be a long day to give every member of our committee the opportunity to ask questions. Give the pace with which the Department Transportation has been getting bipartisan infrastructure lamenting stands of committees we appreciate your time notably implementing and working on critical safety and if you werent here today to answer our questions today were here to highlight federal infrastructure dollars by congress and the dot are unfitting communities cleaner greener and safer more accessible Transportation Systems across the country. Last congress answered the call of states, local transit agencys railroads, airports, ports and labored other stakeholders to robustly invest in transportation infrastructure. Congress provided six or 60 billion for roads, bridges, transit rail, investment number of new initiatives far exceed handed a tall order in implementing the legislation for the first two fiscal years the department disturb everyone in 12 billion in highway funds but mostly directly to states which states then paint with state money and we get no credit for the work. But the same with 39 billion in transit funds. Nearly 10 billion in airport funds for localities but funding has gone out under more than three dozen competitive Grant Programs and more is on the way. One example plans to announce the availability of 14 billion by the end of this year. These dollars translated to projects in the ground and jobs for American Workers august administered by the dot have support over 50000 how it projects alone. According to analysis by the american road and transportation builders association. There is always one new project underway in every Congressional District in the country. Thanks to the bil as an example in my district is investing nearly 12 million in federal highway funds to rehabilitate the bridge and effort has awarded 25 million in grants to replace the 60yearold ferry. Construct a six lane bridge over interstate five which will gives congestion more accessible Transportation System for everyone there. These projects in my state and across the country means jobs. Jobs with good wages, benefits and working conditions were transportation workers. Bil means more jobs the transportation transit aviation rail and maritime sectors. Congress at its job to give the transportation secretary longterm resources it needs without these investments would be in far worse shape today. Now our job is connect fair theiroversight of implementation effort by the deity product sponsors and industry to ensure the projects are delivered quickly and effectively. In the law is implemented in line with the intent. Congress directed investments in the bil for many things including to address Climate Change and improve safety and outcomes in our transportation network. Congress failed example of states, cities, counties and tribes across the country. Working to modernize and transform the way goods move to improve outcomes for the traveling public. Her policy change on hands to execute. Especially i want to applaud Disadvantage Business Enterprises reap the benefits as well to address the spike in traffic deaths and Carbon Pollution from transportation sources. We build on the success of the bil by enacting a strong faa reauthorization. This house passed hr 30 9 30 five security growth and robust leadership of the american aviation act in july by strong bipartisan vote too. Came out of this committee 63 nothing. Bipartisan effort in good faith to secure the future of the Aviation System. It will help advance American LeadershipAviation System and innovation, strengthen workforce improve Consumer Protections and accessibility. Background break investments in sustainability and resiliency. I am sure dot is eager to see the bill enacted you can begin implementing it as well but i urge the senate to act as soon as possible so we can complete a final longterm reauthorization and communities the traveling public with the benefits. Aviations are the only mode rail incidents and accidents continue to occur around the country. Endangering people and communities. As more than 500 train accidents in this committees not yet held a real Safety Committee urge that you may take a long overdue action on real safety. We are expected to act on a Pipeline Safety authorization next week. According to the Pipeline Safety trust incidents have arisen over the past 20 years. Highlight the need for congress to enact additional Pipeline Safety measures. In the infrastructure benefits this committee continues Bipartisan Solutions for all americans thanks the leadership of chair graves sprayed the stands in contrast to the caste rate we are seeing right now. Fy 24 funding talks that is taxs threating to end in a selfinflicted Government Shutdown which i hope we can avoid but think it mr. Secretary for your steady hand and guiding us to the department and the parties congress has asked to implement and look forward to todays discussion i yield back. Thank you i ask unanimous consent of the witnesses. My be included in the record for that objection that is so ordered. So with that mr. Secretary you are recognized. Again thanks for being here. Thank you very much chairman graves and Ranking Member larsen but let me congratulate you as well take these welldeserved leadership roles since last semester before the committee. And also before starting want to take a moment to send our heartfelt condolences to a member of this committee who lost her husband after a plane crash in alaska last week. A lot of us have been in touch with our prayers are with her and the family and friends. To everybody on the Committee Want to thank you for the opportunity to testify today for for our Ongoing Partnership for the first time he came before this committee we were making the case for infrastructure package to address decades of underinvestment deal with clear risk on the roles rose rails and in our skies. Confront a pandemic that shook transportation in every way. The second year i testify here the bipartisan infrastructure law what a reality or facet work standing up new programs im preparing to muchneeded funding out the door. Today im proud to report by the administration has over 37000 Infrastructure Projects moving forward in every state and territory. Through the projects making america safer we are creating jobs addressing transportation inequities in big cities and on rural main streets. We are making our infrastructure more resilience against extreme weather while reducing transportation emissions to climate issues. Reduce prices a few recent examples. Last week i was outside of salem, south dakota were helping to repair 28 miles of i 90 which is a major freight corridor attic new Truck Parking which we consistent hear from truckers is her top party to improve the safety as well as the quality of that job. In july at the airport in pennsylvania we celebrate an expansion and new security checkpoint to provide faster easier experience for travelers, that is my first chance to be at a ribboncutting on a project with funds for the bipartisan info structure law. And a few weeks ago i was in Northern Indiana were helping to relocate a freight rail interchange thats going to improve a rail crossing that is a problem for hundreds of kids getting to high school. While sovereign goods movements for the manufacturing in that area helping to improve the safe transport of Hazardous Material that sometimes passes through the community. Individually every one of those projects is a big deal for its community. Collectively that up to a national undertaking is given the american families, workers and businesses the foundation to succeed well into the century. But i want to be clear about how much work remains on reducing roadway deaths, making our rails and skies safer prayer of strengthening Public Transit helping it to adapt to post pandemic changes and more. We keep full speed ahead to deliver good Infrastructure Projects we also seek your further partnership into critical areas. One, ensuring our Transportation Safety work can continue by preventing a Government Shutdown. Two comics living further improvements that are achievable only through legislation. Too that end they would appraise this committee for your leadership in advancing reauthorization bill that keeps the momentum for this important legislation. Making Good Progress of the authorities we currently have. For example we hit our goal for air Traffic Control with 2600 now and training. Built the airlines lower cancellation rates in the pandemic highs come to 1. 6 this year which is a blow 2019 rates. We have a wave of new rules on the way to protect passengers and fights are delayed or canceled get rid of junk for like being seated next to your kids. We are counting on an faa reauthorization bill that ultimately passes to provide additional crucial authorities and resources needed to keep our airports and committee safe. We asked congress to get to the president s desk. Made while America Needs a same bipartisan leadership you have shown on aviation when it comes to real safety. Great rail safety legislation proposed by democrats and republicans together after the derailment has yet to advance. For the safety of thousands of communities that are host to real lines we need your help getting that legislation over the finish line. Again dot is doing what we can we have proposed requiring at least two crewmembers on trains and are right now working to finalize the rule establishing minimum crew member requirements but we are conducting more than 6000 focus inspections on routes over which high with infrastructure and moderate memory and more. America is going to see a day in 1000 rabbits a year is no longer just accept it as the cost of doing business we did new authorities to better hold railroads accountable for this legislation could provide. I believe the 2020s will be known not just for the early years with the pandemic offended transportation but for the years we are entering now. Transportation gets safer, more affordable and more efficient. Tens of thousands of projects underway President Biden has begun a literally laying the foundation for that and with further partnership with congress to maintain the new momentum and ensure the transportation laws protecting americans are modernized just like the physical transportation infrastructure we all count on. Thank you again and looking for your questions. Correct thank you mr. Secretary pete we will start and i will call on mr. Crawford for a quick thank you. Thank you mr. Secretary for being here. Im to the staff is six pages of spreadsheets here. I dont know if youve seen those are not. They present a very incomplete funding picture the only capture advanced funding for some supplemental funding in fy 22 and 23 paid besides that we continue to the administration touting how much money is being invested in infrastructure. These tables indicate Something Different. Federal Transit Administration. 9. 7 of that funding less than 3 of the money has been out late only 35 fy 22 money for federalaid highway at only 11 . We continue to hear about the need for more money for infrastructure but it seems youre not spending the money you have already. What is going on here . Quick center of the charts you are describing at my fingertips. The lifespan of a project with the times identified for funding for when the project sponsor is ready to execute the Grant Agreement. When the spending takes place within the reimbursement take place for that is something that does not always happen within one or even two calendar years. For our part we would to do everything we can to make sure any part of that timeline thats under our control is swift. That also depends largely on the readiness of project sponsors. Theres often a lag one, two, three sometimes more years bitumen vetting is appropriated and authorized and when those dollars had been assigned to a project. In the interim the obligation of those funds which we are also seen significant amount of funds are not obligated let alone outwit. I understand the time lag and it that completely based on the timeline for appropriations versus the money actually being there. I guess my question is, if you can explain the taxpayer money sitting your agencys bank account at least obligated to keep pace with the project should talk about in your Opening Statement. I would just then terms of the pipe line with the legs associated with that. No one is sitting around and neither are the dollars. But the gap between fiscal year of which is authorized or appropriated in the moment when that construction takes place. That depends on the project. We can get something out to formula dollars often more quickly than a complicated project that involves cross Modal Administration support or multiple project sponsors working