Transcripts For CSPAN Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao T

Sunday on American History tv on cspan3. Working with our cable affiliates and visiting cities across the country. Transportation secretary elaine chao was on capitol hill today to talk about the administrations 1 trillion infrastructure plan, which would airportsways, produce and transit projects over a 10 year period. The Public Works Committee hearing runs for two hours. Or all this hearing to order and we are calling for the honorable elaine chao to testify on our nations infrastructure need. Welcome to the committee. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has always taken the lead on infrastructure issues in the senate. Committeesed, other infrastructure proposals will increase funding and provide streamlining requirements for the construction of pipelines, rail, housing and large urban projects of various kinds that maybe privately financed through publicprivate partnerships to name a few of the issues. However, our highways, roads and bridges should be a central component of any final infrastructure bill. Committeeo our working with the administration in avest real dollars fiscally responsible way. In a recent hearing, Human Department of transportation thector stated that using current predominantly formulabased fast act approach to distribution would ensure both rural and urban states participate in the initiative. It would also help push the benefits of any new infrastructure in a fugitive initiative out to the public promptly. Using the formulabased approach, we will expedite Infrastructure Spending which will ensure highway project for the public will be built faster as opposed to adopting a new structure that is less understood. Publicprivate partnerships can be affected in effective in certain areas but not in rural states represented on this committee. In february before this a county commissioner testified on behalf of the National Association of counties. She stated in a written testimony, difficulties in rural areas being able to raise avenue to revenue and the cost of , in addition to facing growing demands for transportation, investment and local Revenue Sources, Rural Counties are encountering rising costs for transportation projects. Based on the american road and transportation builder associations highway can auction price index, the cost of construction, materials at for bridge projects increased between 2000 and 2013, outpacing the 35 increase in general inflation. In part, to help addressed cost concerns of rural and urban communities, this committee called for faster, cheaper and smarter highway and road projects. Working with this administration and with you, and with members of this committee, we do need to find ways to get projects started faster, build better roads and reduce costs. As i start this hearing, as i stated at that hearing, simplifying these processes will allow for Construction Companies to start hiring and workers to begin building faster. We find ways to streamline new processes, we can initiate processes expeditiously. Less time and money and staff effort would need to be dedicated to regulatory compliance. When we find opportunities to streamline regulation, it enables departments of transportation and other entities to focus more closely on delivering transportation projects and programs and do a better job of that. This administration also has a rolled play in correcting recent proposals that unnecessarily subjected rural state department of transportations. Should require south dakota to report on traffic volumes, on roads that are infrequently traveled, is a waste of taxpayer resources. Most importantly, meeting these requirements meant for more urban areas takes time and money. It impacts a rural states ability to complete projects. Concerns about longstanding barriers that exist at the federal level, at the department of transportation and the state level that might interfere with application of technologies that can accelerate projects. A june report by mckinsey and company entitled imagining the Digital Future states that Large Capital projects typically take 20 longer to finish and budget. O 80 over one reason is that the Construction Industry is one of the industries that is the least digitized. Modifying policies to allow for Technological Innovations such as designating designing with new materials, digital mapping, intelligence assessment management and decisionmaking, aprils projects and other technologies, they can save taxpayer money and speed construction. Technological innovations are just common sense and must be allowed to be used. I believe we can Work Together in a bipartisan way to help address infrastructure needs. I look forward to working with the secretary at my colleagues to accomplish these things. With that, i invite the ranking member, senator carter for his Opening Statements. Senator carter delighted to see think all of us supported your nomination and look forward to working with you. Thank you for visiting with me a couple of weeks ago. The secretary and i talked about was the role of government. Lincolnused abraham used to say the role of government was to do for the people what they cannot do for themselves. I think the role of government is to create a nurturing environment for job creation and job preservation. People haveess, if jobs and can support their families and themselves, for us the rest is pretty easy. Nurturing environment for job creation includes a lot of things, it includes workforce,ccess to capital, Energy Public safety, commonsense regulations, tax policies that foster Economic Growth that are deemed to be fair, that dont explode our budget deficits and so forth. Factor in that nature and environment for job creation and preservation is the ability for people to go where they need to go when they need go, and be able to ship and move goods throughout this country in a costeffective way. Excited that we are to have a chance to take this up with you today and we look forward to an ongoing conversation with you and your colleagues. You have taken this leadership role at a great critical time for our country and i think it is an exciting time. Einstein used to say in adversity lies opportunity. Our job is to seize the day. We face this crisis in large have notuse we adjusted for inflation. Revenues stayed flat while Construction Costs to build highways have continued to increase. We managed to pay for the fastback in 2015 by pilfering some 70 billion from other accounts according to assessments, we will need to billion dollars in 2022 continue providing the same level of funding for the next fiveyear bill. When we take up the next transportation bill, i am told we need to do more than maintain our current levels of spending. Are spendingat we today is falling short of what we ought to be spending if we want to have the roads, that our bridges country needs. We face an 836 billion backlog of good highway and bridge projects and we have a 90 billion backlog for transit. A trillion is almost dollars. The underinvestment shows the conditions of our assets, the report card from society of roadsengineers, gave our a d as in dog. Our Transit System received a d. Spending at transportation at all means it all needs to increase and the federal government should lead the way. While at the roads same time making sure we are spending that money in a costeffective way. Tot is why i was heartened hear his Campaign Pledge to spend a trillion dollars on infrastructure. I hope when the Administration Releases its proposal, it includes plans for spending to address the investment backlog. We also have to choose investments wisely in order to make the best use of scarce federal dollars. Some of the changes made by this committee oftentimes referred to as streamlining will help improve Transportation Planning and project delivery. Unfortunately, a number of these changes have not yet been implemented by the department of transportation. A road has beenunfortunately, ae changes have not yet been put on hold for a couple of months. I hope you and your team will focus on ensuring fast and effective implementation of the remaining map 21 and fast act revisions as streamlining. The transportation faces a lot of safety challenges. Than 140,000re people lost their lives on our roads. More than all of the people in dover, delaware. Years,last two number this has increased more than the last halfcentury. Safety is a central part of the mission of the department of transportation and we hope you will make it part of your personal mission as secretary. No shortage of challenges is had, that, but as i said earlier, where there is diversity, there is also opportunity. New technology, innovation, as the potential to increase improve safety of our roadways. It is lighter, and more sustainable. A means of collecting road user charges and a secure, costeffective way. Thats what we have been doing in iowa for 10 years. I call it rock n roll, and i think it might be part of the future for the kind of Revenue Sources as we try to get our roads, highways, bridges back in shape again. We look for to working with you, we look forward to your testimony, and we look forward to working with stakeholders across the country. Welcome aboard, and good luck. Thank you very much, senator carper. Our witness today is the honorable elaine chao, secretary of the u. S. Department of transportation. Madam secretary, your full written testimony will be made part of the official record. We look forward to hearing your testimony. Please proceed. Testimony. Please proceed. Sec. Chao thank you, chairman, ranking member, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before this committee. Although ive talked with many of you individually, this is the first time that i am testifying as the secretary of transportation. So im pleased to share some thoughts on our countrys infrastructure challenges and to hear your concerns as well. As i mentioned during my confirmation, my three priorities are safety, infrastructure, and the future. Our countrys vast network of highways and bridges is a prime example of infrastructure that need attention in all three categories. After several years of going in the right direction, recent statistics have shown that highway fatalities, as mentioned, are increasing. Measured in lost time and fuel growing congestion is costing our economy and our citizens as 160 billion annually. Some of our most basic i infrastructure will require accommodations to the Smart Technology of the future. These challenges are wellknown to you, which is why passage of the f. A. S. T. Act in 2015 was such an important milestone. It provided the department with new tools and more flexibility to speed up the repair, the rebuilding, and the refurbishment of critical infrastructure. Over the past two years, the department has begun to implement the provisions of the f. A. S. T. Act. But much more can be done, especially in streamlining project permitting, approval, and delivery. And thats why we have initiated a complete review of how the f. A. S. T. Act is actually being implemented. We want to ensure that the tools and flexibilities provided by the act are not encumbered by unnecessary and burdensome administrative requirements. Although this administration is only about four months old, let me share with you some of the infrastructure funding that has already been delivered. It includes 167 millions, 166. 5 million in tifia loans, and nearly 800 million in emergency grants to states and municipalities to repair Highway Infrastructure damaged by disasters. One notable award was 10 million in emergency relief provided to georgia after the collapse of a bridge over atlantas i85 highway, a major traffic artery that is critical to the local economy. In addition, the department is set to award a number of fast lane grants very shortly and will be issuing a solicitation for applications under the fast lane program. Were also taking a close look at the criteria use income awarding the departments discretionary loans and grants. We want to ensure that we are maximizing the opportunities to revitalize infrastructure provided by the f. A. S. T. Act and that the needs of all parts of the country are addressed. As mentioned, the president has made infrastructure one of his Top Priorities. The administration will share its vision of what the infrastructure plan will look like soon, which will kick off our collaboration with the congress. As omb director mulvaney recently announced, the proposal will likely include 200 billion in direct federal funds, which will be used to leverage 1 trillion in Infrastructure Investment over the next 10 years. The goal is to use federal funds as an incentive to get projects under way and built more quickly with greater participation by state, local, and private sector partners. A key goal of this initiative will be incentivising private Sector Investment in infrastructure. We understand that not every Infrastructure Project, however, is a candidate for private investment. The administration recognizes the difference between rural and urban infrastructure needs. We anticipate that the president s proposal will reflect this understanding. Transportation infrastructure is essential to the 46 million americans who live and work in rural areas and to moving agriculture and other products produced in these areas to markets and ports. So i look forward to working with you to find solutions to our countrys infrastructure challenges, not only to support Economic Development and job growth, but also to keep america connected. From the gulf coast to the great lakes, from the east coast to the west coast, transportation helps to knit our country together, so weve got to ensure that we take good care of these critical resources. And now ill be happy to take your questions. Thank you very much, madam secretary. I appreciate your testimony. And as we know, the administration has committed to a comprehensive infrastructure bill. As you mentioned, and as did i, the highways, roads, and bridges need to be a central component of any infrastructure bill. Could you talk a little bit more about the administrations view on ensuring that a major portion of the funding in any infrastructure package is used to do things to upgreat the nations highways, roads, and bridges, the fundamentals were focused on here . Sec. Chao as mentioned, among the president s Top Priorities obviously is restoring, rebuilding, refurbishing, repairing the infrastructure of our country. This is a huge task which involves the entire executive branch. There has been an interagency workforce that has been established. There are 16 different agencies and departments that are part of this task force, to ensure that we are looking at the infrastructure proposal from a holistic point of view and including also all the stakeholders involved. So this Infrastructure Task force includes, for example, the treasury department, commerce, omb, transportation of course, agriculture, interior, department of defense, department of labor, fcc, veterans affairs. So the proposal will include not only transportation infrastructure but also which includes of course airports, roads, rail, highways, ports, inland water ways, but also energy, water, possibly broadband, veterans hospitals. So it will be a very comprehensive approach. To that end, there is also a great deal of attention given to two parts of this effort, and the front end part of permitting, and then the latter part about payfors. So this has been a very significant undertaking by the whole entire executive branch. Sen. Barrasso in terms of using resources in a better way and a smarter way, one of the things i talked about in my Opening Statement were some of these onesizefitsall approach. When i see some of the proposals on measuring and combating Traffic Congestion in, say, new york, new jersey, california, they may make perfect sense, but in wyoming they dont, in terms of the amount of money we would have to spend to do the kinds of things, to monitor things, the roads between casper, wyoming, why i live, cody, wyoming, 214 miles. Theres one traffic light kind of halfway in between and people dont worry about the amount of traffic. The reason they put the traffic light there was not that they felt they needed it, many years ago, but they were just concerned that when students went to the university of wyoming at laramie, they would have a traffic light, so they put a traffic light up. Are there ways we can Work Together to look for common sense regulations for Rural America . Sec. Chao absolutely. You mentioned your concerns, we take note of that. As you know, i come from a rural state myself. As we go forward, the administration wants for very, very emphatic that it will understand the concerns of Rural America. Sen. Barrasso could you please provide us with a bit of an update of the administrations timeline for the infrastructure package . Sec. Chao the administrations timeline was in part based on the congressional timeline. And , and it was anticipated that Third Quarter of this year would probably be a time that both house and senate will be able to pick up this proposal. In the interim, obviously the president is very impatient, and he has asked that principles be released around the latter part of may. The principles for the Infrastructure Project should be coming out shortly. Sen. Barrasso well talk also about the way the funds are distributed, and the current American History<\/a> tv on cspan3. Working with our cable affiliates and visiting cities across the country. Transportation secretary elaine chao was on capitol hill today to talk about the administrations 1 trillion infrastructure plan, which would airportsways, produce and transit projects over a 10 year period. The Public Works Committee<\/a> hearing runs for two hours. Or all this hearing to order and we are calling for the honorable elaine chao to testify on our nations infrastructure need. Welcome to the committee. The Senate Environment<\/a> and Public Works Committee<\/a> has always taken the lead on infrastructure issues in the senate. Committeesed, other infrastructure proposals will increase funding and provide streamlining requirements for the construction of pipelines, rail, housing and large urban projects of various kinds that maybe privately financed through publicprivate partnerships to name a few of the issues. However, our highways, roads and bridges should be a central component of any final infrastructure bill. Committeeo our working with the administration in avest real dollars fiscally responsible way. In a recent hearing, Human Department<\/a> of transportation thector stated that using current predominantly formulabased fast act approach to distribution would ensure both rural and urban states participate in the initiative. It would also help push the benefits of any new infrastructure in a fugitive initiative out to the public promptly. Using the formulabased approach, we will expedite Infrastructure Spending<\/a> which will ensure highway project for the public will be built faster as opposed to adopting a new structure that is less understood. Publicprivate partnerships can be affected in effective in certain areas but not in rural states represented on this committee. In february before this a county commissioner testified on behalf of the National Association<\/a> of counties. She stated in a written testimony, difficulties in rural areas being able to raise avenue to revenue and the cost of , in addition to facing growing demands for transportation, investment and local Revenue Sources<\/a>, Rural Counties<\/a> are encountering rising costs for transportation projects. Based on the american road and transportation builder associations highway can auction price index, the cost of construction, materials at for bridge projects increased between 2000 and 2013, outpacing the 35 increase in general inflation. In part, to help addressed cost concerns of rural and urban communities, this committee called for faster, cheaper and smarter highway and road projects. Working with this administration and with you, and with members of this committee, we do need to find ways to get projects started faster, build better roads and reduce costs. As i start this hearing, as i stated at that hearing, simplifying these processes will allow for Construction Companies<\/a> to start hiring and workers to begin building faster. We find ways to streamline new processes, we can initiate processes expeditiously. Less time and money and staff effort would need to be dedicated to regulatory compliance. When we find opportunities to streamline regulation, it enables departments of transportation and other entities to focus more closely on delivering transportation projects and programs and do a better job of that. This administration also has a rolled play in correcting recent proposals that unnecessarily subjected rural state department of transportations. Should require south dakota to report on traffic volumes, on roads that are infrequently traveled, is a waste of taxpayer resources. Most importantly, meeting these requirements meant for more urban areas takes time and money. It impacts a rural states ability to complete projects. Concerns about longstanding barriers that exist at the federal level, at the department of transportation and the state level that might interfere with application of technologies that can accelerate projects. A june report by mckinsey and company entitled imagining the Digital Future<\/a> states that Large Capital<\/a> projects typically take 20 longer to finish and budget. O 80 over one reason is that the Construction Industry<\/a> is one of the industries that is the least digitized. Modifying policies to allow for Technological Innovations<\/a> such as designating designing with new materials, digital mapping, intelligence assessment management and decisionmaking, aprils projects and other technologies, they can save taxpayer money and speed construction. Technological innovations are just common sense and must be allowed to be used. I believe we can Work Together<\/a> in a bipartisan way to help address infrastructure needs. I look forward to working with the secretary at my colleagues to accomplish these things. With that, i invite the ranking member, senator carter for his Opening Statement<\/a>s. Senator carter delighted to see think all of us supported your nomination and look forward to working with you. Thank you for visiting with me a couple of weeks ago. The secretary and i talked about was the role of government. Lincolnused abraham used to say the role of government was to do for the people what they cannot do for themselves. I think the role of government is to create a nurturing environment for job creation and job preservation. People haveess, if jobs and can support their families and themselves, for us the rest is pretty easy. Nurturing environment for job creation includes a lot of things, it includes workforce,ccess to capital, Energy Public<\/a> safety, commonsense regulations, tax policies that foster Economic Growth<\/a> that are deemed to be fair, that dont explode our budget deficits and so forth. Factor in that nature and environment for job creation and preservation is the ability for people to go where they need to go when they need go, and be able to ship and move goods throughout this country in a costeffective way. Excited that we are to have a chance to take this up with you today and we look forward to an ongoing conversation with you and your colleagues. You have taken this leadership role at a great critical time for our country and i think it is an exciting time. Einstein used to say in adversity lies opportunity. Our job is to seize the day. We face this crisis in large have notuse we adjusted for inflation. Revenues stayed flat while Construction Costs<\/a> to build highways have continued to increase. We managed to pay for the fastback in 2015 by pilfering some 70 billion from other accounts according to assessments, we will need to billion dollars in 2022 continue providing the same level of funding for the next fiveyear bill. When we take up the next transportation bill, i am told we need to do more than maintain our current levels of spending. Are spendingat we today is falling short of what we ought to be spending if we want to have the roads, that our bridges country needs. We face an 836 billion backlog of good highway and bridge projects and we have a 90 billion backlog for transit. A trillion is almost dollars. The underinvestment shows the conditions of our assets, the report card from society of roadsengineers, gave our a d as in dog. Our Transit System<\/a> received a d. Spending at transportation at all means it all needs to increase and the federal government should lead the way. While at the roads same time making sure we are spending that money in a costeffective way. Tot is why i was heartened hear his Campaign Pledge<\/a> to spend a trillion dollars on infrastructure. I hope when the Administration Releases<\/a> its proposal, it includes plans for spending to address the investment backlog. We also have to choose investments wisely in order to make the best use of scarce federal dollars. Some of the changes made by this committee oftentimes referred to as streamlining will help improve Transportation Planning<\/a> and project delivery. Unfortunately, a number of these changes have not yet been implemented by the department of transportation. A road has beenunfortunately, ae changes have not yet been put on hold for a couple of months. I hope you and your team will focus on ensuring fast and effective implementation of the remaining map 21 and fast act revisions as streamlining. The transportation faces a lot of safety challenges. Than 140,000re people lost their lives on our roads. More than all of the people in dover, delaware. Years,last two number this has increased more than the last halfcentury. Safety is a central part of the mission of the department of transportation and we hope you will make it part of your personal mission as secretary. No shortage of challenges is had, that, but as i said earlier, where there is diversity, there is also opportunity. New technology, innovation, as the potential to increase improve safety of our roadways. It is lighter, and more sustainable. A means of collecting road user charges and a secure, costeffective way. Thats what we have been doing in iowa for 10 years. I call it rock n roll, and i think it might be part of the future for the kind of Revenue Sources<\/a> as we try to get our roads, highways, bridges back in shape again. We look for to working with you, we look forward to your testimony, and we look forward to working with stakeholders across the country. Welcome aboard, and good luck. Thank you very much, senator carper. Our witness today is the honorable elaine chao, secretary of the u. S. Department of transportation. Madam secretary, your full written testimony will be made part of the official record. We look forward to hearing your testimony. Please proceed. Testimony. Please proceed. Sec. Chao thank you, chairman, ranking member, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before this committee. Although ive talked with many of you individually, this is the first time that i am testifying as the secretary of transportation. So im pleased to share some thoughts on our countrys infrastructure challenges and to hear your concerns as well. As i mentioned during my confirmation, my three priorities are safety, infrastructure, and the future. Our countrys vast network of highways and bridges is a prime example of infrastructure that need attention in all three categories. After several years of going in the right direction, recent statistics have shown that highway fatalities, as mentioned, are increasing. Measured in lost time and fuel growing congestion is costing our economy and our citizens as 160 billion annually. Some of our most basic i infrastructure will require accommodations to the Smart Technology<\/a> of the future. These challenges are wellknown to you, which is why passage of the f. A. S. T. Act in 2015 was such an important milestone. It provided the department with new tools and more flexibility to speed up the repair, the rebuilding, and the refurbishment of critical infrastructure. Over the past two years, the department has begun to implement the provisions of the f. A. S. T. Act. But much more can be done, especially in streamlining project permitting, approval, and delivery. And thats why we have initiated a complete review of how the f. A. S. T. Act is actually being implemented. We want to ensure that the tools and flexibilities provided by the act are not encumbered by unnecessary and burdensome administrative requirements. Although this administration is only about four months old, let me share with you some of the infrastructure funding that has already been delivered. It includes 167 millions, 166. 5 million in tifia loans, and nearly 800 million in emergency grants to states and municipalities to repair Highway Infrastructure<\/a> damaged by disasters. One notable award was 10 million in emergency relief provided to georgia after the collapse of a bridge over atlantas i85 highway, a major traffic artery that is critical to the local economy. In addition, the department is set to award a number of fast lane grants very shortly and will be issuing a solicitation for applications under the fast lane program. Were also taking a close look at the criteria use income awarding the departments discretionary loans and grants. We want to ensure that we are maximizing the opportunities to revitalize infrastructure provided by the f. A. S. T. Act and that the needs of all parts of the country are addressed. As mentioned, the president has made infrastructure one of his Top Priorities<\/a>. The administration will share its vision of what the infrastructure plan will look like soon, which will kick off our collaboration with the congress. As omb director mulvaney recently announced, the proposal will likely include 200 billion in direct federal funds, which will be used to leverage 1 trillion in Infrastructure Investment<\/a> over the next 10 years. The goal is to use federal funds as an incentive to get projects under way and built more quickly with greater participation by state, local, and private sector partners. A key goal of this initiative will be incentivising private Sector Investment<\/a> in infrastructure. We understand that not every Infrastructure Project<\/a>, however, is a candidate for private investment. The administration recognizes the difference between rural and urban infrastructure needs. We anticipate that the president s proposal will reflect this understanding. Transportation infrastructure is essential to the 46 million americans who live and work in rural areas and to moving agriculture and other products produced in these areas to markets and ports. So i look forward to working with you to find solutions to our countrys infrastructure challenges, not only to support Economic Development<\/a> and job growth, but also to keep america connected. From the gulf coast to the great lakes, from the east coast to the west coast, transportation helps to knit our country together, so weve got to ensure that we take good care of these critical resources. And now ill be happy to take your questions. Thank you very much, madam secretary. I appreciate your testimony. And as we know, the administration has committed to a comprehensive infrastructure bill. As you mentioned, and as did i, the highways, roads, and bridges need to be a central component of any infrastructure bill. Could you talk a little bit more about the administrations view on ensuring that a major portion of the funding in any infrastructure package is used to do things to upgreat the nations highways, roads, and bridges, the fundamentals were focused on here . Sec. Chao as mentioned, among the president s Top Priorities<\/a> obviously is restoring, rebuilding, refurbishing, repairing the infrastructure of our country. This is a huge task which involves the entire executive branch. There has been an interagency workforce that has been established. There are 16 different agencies and departments that are part of this task force, to ensure that we are looking at the infrastructure proposal from a holistic point of view and including also all the stakeholders involved. So this Infrastructure Task<\/a> force includes, for example, the treasury department, commerce, omb, transportation of course, agriculture, interior, department of defense, department of labor, fcc, veterans affairs. So the proposal will include not only transportation infrastructure but also which includes of course airports, roads, rail, highways, ports, inland water ways, but also energy, water, possibly broadband, veterans hospitals. So it will be a very comprehensive approach. To that end, there is also a great deal of attention given to two parts of this effort, and the front end part of permitting, and then the latter part about payfors. So this has been a very significant undertaking by the whole entire executive branch. Sen. Barrasso in terms of using resources in a better way and a smarter way, one of the things i talked about in my Opening Statement<\/a> were some of these onesizefitsall approach. When i see some of the proposals on measuring and combating Traffic Congestion<\/a> in, say, new york, new jersey, california, they may make perfect sense, but in wyoming they dont, in terms of the amount of money we would have to spend to do the kinds of things, to monitor things, the roads between casper, wyoming, why i live, cody, wyoming, 214 miles. Theres one traffic light kind of halfway in between and people dont worry about the amount of traffic. The reason they put the traffic light there was not that they felt they needed it, many years ago, but they were just concerned that when students went to the university of wyoming at laramie, they would have a traffic light, so they put a traffic light up. Are there ways we can Work Together<\/a> to look for common sense regulations for Rural America<\/a> . Sec. Chao absolutely. You mentioned your concerns, we take note of that. As you know, i come from a rural state myself. As we go forward, the administration wants for very, very emphatic that it will understand the concerns of Rural America<\/a>. Sen. Barrasso could you please provide us with a bit of an update of the administrations timeline for the infrastructure package . Sec. Chao the administrations timeline was in part based on the congressional timeline. And , and it was anticipated that Third Quarter<\/a> of this year would probably be a time that both house and senate will be able to pick up this proposal. In the interim, obviously the president is very impatient, and he has asked that principles be released around the latter part of may. The principles for the Infrastructure Project<\/a> should be coming out shortly. Sen. Barrasso well talk also about the way the funds are distributed, and the current Formula Program<\/a> seems to be working, people agree. Is that your thought as well, that would be the right way to go . Sec. Chao we have certainly talked a great deal about formula funding. Thats certainly been one way in which the various demands and requirements of members of congress are addressed, so we are still talking about that as well. Sen. Barrasso and given your existing authorities, could you talk a little bit about your vision to streamline the regulatory process to accelerate the delivery of some of these projects . All of us care about the environment, and we care about all construction projects, and that they should be conducted in a way that is responsible. But as we examine the permitting part of construction projects, we find that sometimes there are many times there are duplicative and redundant requirements which impede and slow down the approvals for a construction project. So were looking at those redundancies and seeing whether there are some ways, sometimes, when it would be appropriate to do things concurrently as well and not so much sequentially. Those are a couple of examples of the things were looking at. Sen. Barrasso thank you, madam secretary. Senator carper. Sen. Carper thanks so much, mr. Chairman. When you were good enough to visit with me, i mentioned one of my core principles, that is, things worth having, theyre worth paying for. When i was governor of delaware, i took the lead, we did huge investments from 1993 to 2001, we also paid for them. We did it through user fees and a variety of other ways we didnt just charge more things on the States Credit<\/a> card. I mentioned a couple of different things. User fees, base load for transportation funding for roads, highways, and bridges has been user fees for as long i can remember. 65 of the funding for federal highway programs today comes from gas tax. Its about 18 cents a gallon. We have not raised it for 23, 24 years. 25 of the moneys come from diesel tax. We have not raised that, again, for 23, 24 years. We proposed to in bowles simpson, as part of an Overall Program<\/a> to reduce deficits, we proposed raising gas and diesel tax and index it Going Forward<\/a>. That was made part of bowles simpson, not enacted by the congress. In states across the country where the states have gone like 20 states have gone ahead and raised their user fees. Amazingly, folks, the legislators who voted to do that got reelected. 90 of democrats got reelected. 95 of the republicans. People say you cant vote to do this stuff and get reelected. Thats not really true. You can do the right thing and actually be rewarded by your voters. We do a lot of tolling in delaware, if youve been up 95, you know what i mean, we apologize for that. But if you combine tolling with ez pass and similar kinds of programs, you make it kind of easy, people go through the toll, highway speed, and the charge ends up on their credit cards. You mentioned to me when we talked earlier, and again today, about the availability of us to harness, if youre until thein the private sector, for Public Private<\/a> partnerships. New construction, tolling works in some places, densely Populated Areas<\/a> along the coast, maybe it works better than in the middle part of our country, but the idea of tying in tolling on new construction and using that to harness and incent the private sector to be involved, i think is a good idea. Other people smarter than me think it is as well. The Trucking Industry<\/a> doesnt like tolling on existing highways, but theyre willing to support tolling on new highways, but the idea of those who say were going to so have this problem on the funding side just by doing 3p, Public Private<\/a> partnerships, in the last 20, 30 years, they have been 30 Public Private<\/a> partnerships, 30. Some of them are pretty big. But thats out of tens of thousands of projects. In a lot of parts of our country it doesnt work. In texas and 35 states, theyve never had a public prior to partnership. Texas, they voted to take it off the plate and say off the table. So its not a panacea. Its part of what can be done. Oregon has its road user charge thing that theyve been doing for 10 years. 10,000 vehicles are covered. Weve got to move, i think weve got to move quickly, combined road user charge theyre doing in oregon with highway speed ez pass. I called it rock and roll. If we can develop vehicles, cars, trucks, and advance that can drive to from the atlantic to the Pacific Ocean<\/a> without a driver, we ought to be able to come up with a way thats respective of privacy. Im happy to go out on the limb and say, we need an all of the above approach. Its no silver bullet. A lot of silver bbs, some of them that i just mentioned are bigger than others. Talk to us about funding these projects, please. Sec. Chao senator, youre exactly right. Number one sen. Carper its rare that im exactly right. Sec. Chao these projects, as valuable as they are, as important as they are to our country, yes, they have to be paid for. The question is who pays for it. Thats the difficult part. In the past, there have been government funding and in this particular environment, 100 government funding is probably not realistic, given the tremendous amount of resources that we need to devote. Therefore, as you mentioned, as cars become more fuel efficient, the gas tax per vehicle might be has been decreasing. And the and the integrity of the Highway Trust Fund<\/a> is very important. And distributions have now exceeded inflows. So the good news is nothing is off the table. And were looking at all of these things, Public Private<\/a> partnerships are one way in which financing of needed Infrastructure Project<\/a>s can occur. Were looking we are also hoping to have through that vehicle, through that channel, a more innovative, creative ways of financing. But nothing is off the table. Sen. Carper thank you. My colleagues, our president put on the table a week or two ago the idea of user fees, raising user fees, something that senator inhofe and i have been a big proponent of a long time. I immediately put out a press release supporting what he was doing. Then it was taken off the table. We need president ial leadership. As governor, i tried to lead on these things. Jim as mayor tried to leave on issues like that, we have other recovering governors here at the table, as you know. We need the president ial leadership. If the president will lead on this and making some tough choices and not pull them off the table, we can get something done. Thank you so much. Sen. Barrasso thank you, senator carper. Senator inhofe. Sen. Inhofe let me remind senator carper, i can remember when i first was involved, i was in the house at that time, back in 1987, my first year here, at that time, madam secretary, the biggest problem we had with the Highway Trust Fund<\/a> is we had too much surplus in it. And of course those days are long gone. At that time, i had said, if we would we better prepare now and put in an escalation clause so you have it indexed in some ways. This is something that very likely is going to be looked at. You know, at the end of the obama administration, madam secretary, the United States<\/a> department of transportation so solicited applications for the fast lane grants. I know there are two of those. That was established in the f. A. S. T. Act, and i know that we have a couple of them in my state of oklahoma. People are always calling me up and asking me the question im about to ask you, do you have an update as to that you can provide to us as to when we can expect some kind of an announcement concerning those grants . Sec. Chao the administration came in, as you well know, less than three months ago. So we are in the process of evaluating those. Some, i hope, pretty soon, we will be releasing a tranche. Then we will be taking a look at the others. Were very much aware of the needs of Rural America<\/a>. So we are reviewing all this was with an eye toward in particular the needs of Rural America<\/a>. Inhofe thank you. And i think the administration has made it very clear and youve made it very clear that were looking at the streamlining that was put together in both the 21 bill and the f. A. S. T. Act. And that was a time, during that time frame, i chair the committee, and senator boxer was the ranking member, and we worked together on these streamlining things. There are a lot of times when she would put her foot down. We always ended up realizing that you have to compromise when you put one of these things together. And i say that because one of the concerns i have is that some of the previous streamlining that weve achieved might not have been implemented to the truest intent of congress. For example, we provided a categorical exclusion for projects in the existing operation of rightofway. However the implementation of this provision still requires paperwork from our state dots and approval of federal highways that a project can receive a categorical exclusion. Is the department reviewing guidance issued by the Previous Administration<\/a> to ensure that our streamlining efforts are being implemented to their fullest . And everyone out there who is a contractor, who is anticipating participating in what we are going to be doing, you and us in concert, thats right interested in the streamlining, because you can get so many more miles out of it. And that was an agreement from the democrats and the republicans. Sec. Chao what you just mentioned is very important in terms of helping the permitting process along the categorical exemptions. This effort has started. Were taking a renewed look at it and making sure that indeed we are implementing it in the speed and in the way that the act requires. Sen. Inhofe thats music to my ears and the ears of a lot of other people who have already started participating. Even though projects right now are not ongoing from the f. A. S. T. Act itself, they know that what our intent was, and our intent was clearly to get as many miles out of that as possible. Now, yesterday i chaired the transportation infrastructure subcommittee. We looked at Innovative Solutions<\/a> for Public Sector<\/a> funding and private sector financing of local witnesses talking about the different initiatives that taking to prioritize infrastructure, including working with the private sector. But there was an overall agreement that the federal government must remain the lead in our Infrastructure Investment<\/a>. Is that view of the administration as well . Sec. Chao the federal we are certainly very concerned about this and taking initiative on it. About this, and we are taking the leadership on it. Sen. Inhofe i think were very excited about the prospect. Ive had a lot of Democrat Friends<\/a> that have different philosophies on other issues and saying this is what were supposed to be doing. There is no worn out document. It is called a constitution. Were supposed to be doing two things here. Defending america and protecting infrastructure. We look forward to working with you in a very effective way. Sec. Chao thank you. Barrasso thank you, senator inhofe. Senator booker . Sen. Booker thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, secretary chao for coming to a spirit i want to bring attention to the gratitude for the letter that senator schumer and senator menendez and myself sent you regarding the gateway project and the real crisis we have. Your letter which i have here was just really gracious. You put forth hone that youre willing to visit. En that is visit, and that is really assuring. It is also nice to hear you travel on amtrak through the gateway area as well. Sec. Chao ive been delayed as well. Sen. Booker yes. well, thats really the crisis we have right now. As you probably heard, we now have delays that are stranding literally hundreds of thousands of americans. Its become in one of the planet earths most economically productive region, literal busiest River Crossing<\/a> in all of north america. We have a system of rail that has hit a choke point. It is so bad now that it is costing our region millions of dollars in productivity every week and the outrage of people. People in new jersey are talking about moving into new york because of the unreliability of service. People calling my office, writing my office about lost time with familiar lishgs not with family and not able to take the children to school. Its really a crisis throughout our area. The biggest calls that senator menendez and i gheet our office, i get in our office, one of the biggest reasons is the failing infrastructure that we have right now. It is outrageous. In the 1960s, you could move along the rail faster than right now. Thats how efficient this rail line was back then. So with commuters facing delays that are unconscionable with crews desperately trying to fix this without causing even more delays, we have what i consider the were teetering on the edge of traffic armageddon in the northeast region f we dont begin work on the new tunnels, what that is going to mean is were going have to take one of the over 100 year tunnels this is a tour that i want to take you. I went in the tunnels in a glass car. I was astonished. You can see the physical damage done by Hurricane Sandy<\/a> still. If we have to pull one tunnel out of service, that will literally cause a traffic armageddon in the region. Thats the level of urgency that we have before us. It would cause a nightmare that you would not believe. So i guess the first sort of question i have is, is given sort of what the failure of one of the tunnels would mean, im sure, again, i hate to do this to you when youve only been in office three months, but are you all taking this part of at least with the last administration called the greatest transportation crisis in the country, are you looking at this and figuring what a strategy to prevent the crippling of that region should one of the tunnels go down . Sec. Chao absolutely. Senator, as you know i grew up , in new york. I know that area very well. The president is a new yorker. He understands the issue there very well. We have kept a close eye on this , and the fta and the safety inspectors have been down at gateway and that whole tunnel area. And we just recently sent someone there again to make sure that oversight and safety responsibilities is totally focused on the tunnel there. Thats not to say that its unsafe. Let me also bring to your attention i want to work with you on this, the governance structure. The governance structure is quite complicated, as you well know. The department of transportation has one sneet a governmental local, state, federal governance structure in which the governors of both states, new york and new jersey, are involved. So the governance structure is something that is one that dictates all of the parties involved need to work on this, and so id like to work with you on that. Gateway is a absolute is a absolute priority. Ive been a passenger myself. As mentioned, ive been delayed. I know the new york area very well. The president is a new yorker. So there is a priority. I look forward to working with you. Sen. Booker my time expired. i look forward to talking about the government structure, two federal positions at the dement and amtrak. Amtrak sec. Chao and i just sen. Booker im sorry. The amtrak is such a critical agent as well. I hope we can have conversations about amtrak funding. The amtrak rail between boston and washington, d. C. , more people travel on rail than they do on plane. And thats another area where theres continuing degradation of services. We have a lot to talk about. I know youre a new yorker sec. Chao kentuckian. Sen. Booker just as a last point, i met several times with the amtrak board and also with the president on this particular issue. Sen. Barrasso thank you, senator. Madam. Thank you, madam. Senator fisher. Fischer. Fischer thank you, secretary chao, thank you for your testifying today and discussing the importance of infrastructure to our economy. I appreciate you highlighting some of the proposals the department of transportation is reviewing to include in this infrastructure package. I look forward to working with the administration in order tone to enhance our mutual priorities for the benefit of all american families. As you know, our National Infrastructure<\/a> is in a critical condition. The most recent report card from the American Society<\/a> of Civil Engineers<\/a> rated the United States<\/a> infrastructure as a d plus. This is unacceptable. Members of Congress Must<\/a> Work Together<\/a> on a common sense solution to keep our country moving. The f. A. S. T. Act, it was an important first step to address our infrastructure needs. And it was first long term highway bill in more than a decade. However, as you know, the work is not done. Thats why i happen to have introduced a bill that is going to look at solving two of the major challenges facing our transportation system. The first is that near term solvency of the highway trust funneled, the second is the lack of flexibility for states and starting and finishing major transportation Infrastructure Project<\/a>s. As we know, any infrastructure package must recognize that states know theyre own Transportation Needs<\/a> best not , not the federal government. Programs like the National Freight<\/a> program work for all states without leaving any behind. The National Freight<\/a> policy has also robust bipartisan support. Expanding this Freight Program<\/a> should be an idea that is on the table when we discuss infrastructure. I would stress that as we think about the infrastructure package, we should avoid falling into the trap of a stimulus style spending. Finally, any infrastructure package must address how unintended regulatory consequences can impact our freight network. Whether its a delay to a critical highway project or a new requirement that alters the supply chain, burdensome delays can hinder progress. So i would ask you, madam secretary, will you commit to working closely with my colleagues and i on priorities like these as the administration and congress continue developing a National Infrastructure<\/a> policy . Sec. Chao yes, of course. Sen. Fischer thank you. As we discussed, states are facing real challenges regarding Infrastructure Project<\/a> completion due to those excessive procedural costs and delays in the permitting process. Earlier, you called that the front end part. In response to the permitting delays, the nebraska unanimously passed legislation to allow the Nebraska Department<\/a> of roads to pursue assumption of the permitting process. The Nebraska Department<\/a> of roads sent a letter to the federal Highway Administration<\/a> to begin the implementation of this program, and i understand it could take up to about 18 months. So madam secretary, do you have any updates on that program that can you provide me right now . Sec. Chao actually, we think nebraska has done very well. And your leadership on this issue is very much appreciated. The governor acted in march. Your legislature acted very quickly thereafter. And then the state department of transportation, so grofrn, state department of transportation. So the governor and the state department of transportation. The state department of transportation issued the letter on may 7th. So we know this issue. Were tracking it. We understand it is a concern of yours. Were going to pay attention. Sen. Fischer ok. Thank you very much. Also the f. A. S. T. Act requires the department of transportation to develop a National Freight<\/a> Strategic Plan<\/a> to assess that National Freight<\/a> network and help to plan for the future growth in that movement of freight. States are required to develop their own freight plans and that is happening. Within nebraska and our department of roads, theyre ensuring we do have a comprehensive plan in the state of nebraska. Can you elaborate on the importance of ensuring that we do have a thorough strategy to address the growing movement of freight across our country . Sec. Chao freight is a very important part of our overall commerce, and it helps to keep our economy vibrant and our workforce prosperous. So we want to do everything we can to facilitate commerce so that brings greater vitality and prosperity to our country. Of course, there are other sometimes concerns expressed by other groups so we want to work with all these groups, but theres no understating the importance of freight to the Economic Vitality<\/a> of our country. Sen. Fischer thank you. The commerce committee, senator booker is chairman and i work in the subcommittee and we look at the connection between the different modes of transportation whether it is the roads, ports, rail, trucking. So i look forward to working with you in these issues as we look at how were going to make sure that in a modal connection is also put together. You,barrasso thank senator fischer. Senator merkley. Sen. Merkley thank you. One of the questions that keeps arising is when the add smgs going to present an infrastructure plan and the president talked about possibly accelerating it, and others have been discussing about moving further back in the year. Zrou a do you have a sense now of when well have a detailed proposal from the administration . Sec. Chao the package will come out later in the year and probably in the Third Quarter<\/a>. Sen. Merkley so one thing that the president so the principles in may and details Third Quarter<\/a>. Ok, thank you. One thing that president had said and some interview was that he recognized that publicprivate partnerships didnt work in a lot of situations and sometimes were more expensive. Certainly we have found in the west that often toll roads end up taking a lot more money out of peoples pockets than those public financing. Are you looking at the details of really how to get the most bang for the buck in term of dollars spent . I dont mean just total dollars but total investment by citizens you have to pay for a road three times over or 30 years of willing to to get a 15 or 20 return for middleman that, search more expensive than if we just financed it directly. Are you taking a look at how to get the most Cost Effective<\/a> projects done . Sec. Chao one of the things one of the reasons why the proposal is taking some time as well is that we we in the executive branch and all of our departments and at the white house are engaged in consulting with members of congress, with other stakeholders, outside our government tone sure that mistakes of the past are not repeated. There are some very smart people at the white house who are former Investment Bankers<\/a> who know a great deal about financing. They have been giving their own expertise. But also listening to other people as well. So on your point about getting most out of the bang for the dollar, that was certainly a reasonable and logical thing to do. We hope that were doing that adequately, yes. Merkley well, i would really encourage that. Sometimes when i listen to the conversation, it sounds like how do we minimize the public dollars . Talk about leverage and so forth, but sometimes that involves tolling that takes a tremendous amount out of working americans pockets than if we just finance something directly. And the president s comments seem to reflect that recently. I was heartened by. Bat. Sec. Chao were very open minded. It is a large process under way with members of congress as well. So it will be in collaboration with the congress. Sen. Merkley as i go from community to community and hold a town hall in every county in oregon every year and before hand i meet with the county and local officials and the most common commentary on infrastructure is not roads and bridges. It is water, clean water supply and waste water treatment. And that is because you have changing federal standards. You have old infrastructure wearing out and new demands for growing either growing commercial sector or growing residential sector. Will water projects be a big piece of an infrastructure package . Sec. Chao the short answer is yes. Sen. Merkley great. and you are familiar with the wifia program . You mentioned tifia. The parallel on the water side. That willhave a piece tackle that . Sec. Chao you have made an excellent suggestion tlachlt is that is is not within my lane. But thats why we 16 different cabinet secretaries and agency heads around the Interagency Task<\/a> force to address issues like where there are infrastructure funding programs in different departments and how do we Work Together<\/a>. But water is certainly a major topic within the Infrastructure Infrastructure<\/a> proposal. The president said well have two simple rules on the massive rebuilding effort by america and hire american. You are supportive of those principles . Sec. Chao is the president s agenda, yes. Merkley thank you. Im pleased to hear that. With the import of steel, there is a lot of support for making sure we keep that principle and cheering the president on on that topic. I want to turn to the issue of the cafe standards and the conversation about loosening those. I see my time is up. So maybe youre spared this question. Perhaps ill follow up on it later. But my concern, is and ill state it this way, this we dont stay on the cutting edge of innovation, it makes it harder for the products to be sold around the world and to keep the innovation here in america. And the rest of the world is pushing hard for it on this issue of more efficiency strategies for transportation, and i hope we will too. Sec. Chao thank you. Barrasso thank you, senator merkley. Senator rounds. Sen. Rounds thank you, mr. Chairman. Good morning, secretary chao. As a kentuckian, i suspect that you recognize the need to balance both the urban and rural states needs when it comes to infrastructure repair develop development and so forth. Im concerned by the president s proposed as we call it the skinny budget, which provides nod funding for tiger grants for fiscal year 2018. However, many states including south dakota have benefitted from tiger Grant Programs<\/a> and weve received funds for innovative transportation projects. Just an example would be in 2016 the rose bud seau tribe which is in a rural area, received a 14 million tiger grant for a highway project. It was an Improvement Project<\/a> , and in 2015, we received a 6 million grant for a freight expansion project. The projects are difficult to funneled through other federal funding sources. But they really are important to job creation, particularly in rural areas. And theyre also important for transportation, safety and efficiency and for the Economic Growth<\/a> of rural states. Just concerned, can you share us with a little bit about what you see as the future of the tiger Grant Program<\/a> and infrastructure programs, and what are your thoughts general for the lack of funding for tiger grants . Sec. Chao i know how popular tiger grants are with members of congress. This is a first budget done by a new administration, and the omb director had not been onboard yet. So this particular issue by the tiger grants is something that were discussing. The thought was that there be Going Forward<\/a> that there be a more holistic approach to infrastructure and to perhaps these tiger grants will be recast in some future in some way in the future. I think thats what were still talking about. Sen. Rounds im glad to hear that. That because a lot of these tiger grants, theyre stall in nature compared to a lot of the costs involved and some of the more urban areas where there is significantly greater cost for any project to be completed. And , and this particular case, these tiger grants really are very well appreciated and theyre highly competitive. So only the best of projects are really funded with these tiger grants themselves. Im glad to hear its a work in progress, and we would love to provide additional input and advice as you come to making the decisions in this particular case. It is a very good series of projects, and weve seen some real benefits within our rural states. With that, thats all that i have for you. If the senator from south dakota will just yield for 10 seconds . Sen. Rounds yes, sir. Sen. Carper one of the advantages tiger grants is it helps leverage other moneys. One of the principles of the administration is we want to leverage them in from other sources. Sen. Rounds absolutely. It impacts rural areas that are able to obtain federal dollars in this process but in often cases, youre finding that there is a partnership provided because in a lot of cases it is Economic Development<\/a> plan in an area where can you either get additional commodities to market , or in some cases, youre improving highways that we simply didnt have the resources to improve and some very rural areas. And particularly for our nativeamerican populations and in rural areas, some of most some of the poorest counties in the entire United States<\/a>. Wane with that, i yield back. Sen. Barrasso thank you, senator. Senator duckworth. Duckworth thank you. I want to thank the chair for convening to days meeting and thank secretary chao in participating in this important committee. Thank you to the bipartisan leadership of this committee, Congress Passed<\/a> the f. A. S. T. Act in 2015. Several provisions of the law are still making their way through your agency. I look forward to working with others who ensure the law is fully implemented. More than anything else, states and municipalities count on multiyear authorization to provide communities with the certainty needed to plan infectively and implement critical Infrastructure Project<\/a>s. Do you agreeo, that the f. A. S. T. Act has been effective in providing local Decision Makers<\/a> with funding certainty for planning surprises . Sec. Chao senator, i think if youre referring to what i think youre referring, to you and i talked about the Regional Planning<\/a> districts, and senator durbin weighed in with you as well, so were looking at the whole planning part of that. Were making progress into changing it the way that i think you will like. Sen. Duckworth thank you. I was referring to the f. A. S. T. Act and the fast lane Grant Programs<\/a> to know that you have the certainty of those dollars coming in those grant dollars coming in allows local municipalities to plan out into the future. And its a great tool for a mun figuring out what theyre going to do next. Sec. Chao thank you. Duckworth under the bipartisan framework of the f. A. S. T. Act, the fast lane Grant Program<\/a> was designed to address products of regional and national projects. Im asked about the 75th street corridor Improvement Project<\/a>. Its a component project of the create program, a unique publicpartnership. All seven class one railroads agree that project will improve regional freight shipping and benefit the entire freight network. Stakeholders are confident in the national significance, state and local Funds Combined<\/a> with significant rail Company Dollar<\/a> are waiting patiently for fast lane funding to advance this critical project. Again let me remind i want to say that it takes 48 hours to get freight from california to chicago, and it takes an additional 30 plus hours just to get from one side of chicago to the other. And thats what this project will address. Can we expect u. S. D. O. T. To move in finalizing fast lane grant applications and not waste valuable time and resources reopening the application process . Sec. Chao we have just been in office for relatively short time. I think its i understand what you are saying. We need to understand what the fast lane applications and grants are. Were working very hard to try to get them out as quickly as we can. Well probably do a first run and then for the remainder, were still going to go out with some applications for novo to see as we assess when what the criteria frorting on these fast lane loans grants. Sen. Duckworth really the sooner can you get them through the better. As i said this is holding up commerce for the entire nation. Another linchpin freight project that is ripe for federal support through the fast lane program is replacement of the 127yearold merchants bridge. This project is critical to the st. Louis region and represents another critical step towards improving our National Freight<\/a> network. As you know, illinoiss received over 327 million in tiger grant funding, so i was pleased to hear about the discussion we had in committee. Tiger grants help key components of the infrastructure. The skinny budget also cuts investmentes in new trans it it products like the ctas red line extension to the 130th street, ends amtrak long haul service, and hamstrings essential air service. Were bracing for another blow to job creation efforts when the full fy18 budget is released. Can we expect more cuts for transportation programs, or will the budge more closely reflect the promise the president made to invest in infrastructure . Sec. Chao number one, i dont know whats in the budget that will be coming back. It will not be released until may 23rd. Number two, as i mentioned, we understand, i understand how popular these tiger grants are, and were hoping to work in some way with the Infrastructure Project<\/a> to find a more holistic way in which to provide the needs for the states and communities. So the money that will be taken out hopefully will be put back in the infrom structure project. But i will not know that until may 23rd when released. Show full text show less text sen. Duckworth were anxious and people across illinois are, ive heard from them and they would like to keep the dollars and the fast Grant Program<\/a>. I yield back. Sen. Barrasso thank you, senator duckworth. Senator ernst. Sen. Ernst thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, madam secretary, for joining us today. Because of iowas location and the center of the country, our interstate routes handle a lot of Cross Country<\/a> freight. And for a lot of this freight iowa is not the origination and its not the final destination. , either. Its simply just passes through iowa. And this path through traffic takes a major toll on our roads and, of course, drives up the nate Maintenance Cost<\/a> for iowa d. O. T. Nationally, iowa ranks fife njt number of bridges and 12th in the miles of roadway, yet the state ranks 30th in population and 23 understood overall land area. Central states are responsible for supporting the infrastructure that moves country Cross Country<\/a> freight. Do you think point is something that congress should take into consideration when working on future transportation bills and if so in what ways . We do not have clearly this is a very important issue. And internally, we are discussing the very same issues that you are bringing up here. Sen. Ernst very good. It is important. I know a number of other senators have mentioned, of course, the rural areas and how important it is that funding mechanisms are reflective of those situations on the ground. So thank you. And i did see some news recently that you had attended the u. S. Chamber. That event you mention projects that cant Access Private<\/a> sector funding and that there will be a few special projects that will likely be identified and funded directly. They can significantly increase gdp growth or lift the american spirit. What types of improvements might these be . Sec. Chao well not specify any list of projects or anything like that. But my remarks wanted to confirm and to reassure was that this administration understands the needs of Rural America<\/a>. And as we go forward, we need to find some way to address the needs of Rural America<\/a> in a way with other Financing Mechanism<\/a> thats may not work and may work for urban areas but not for rural areas. So that is one of the topics we are working within a task force on trying to address. Sen. Ernst certainly. I do hope that you reach out to rural legislators, members of congress, and receive input from our offices as well. We would love to assist in any way that we can to help our rural areas. As you mentioned in your testimony, nearly 73 of our countrys public roads are located in rural settings with populations under 5,000 people. I live on a gravel road out side of red oak, iowa. And red soak a lot like the rest and red oak is a lot like the rest of Rural America<\/a>. We have about 5700 people that live in red oak, and our network of farm to market roads and bridges, they are an integral link for our food supply chain. I heard from farmers all across the state about their declining state of repair. And so we do have about 4900 bridge thats are considered structurally deficient. And what will you do as secretary to ensure funding and attention are dedicated to these rural projects . And are there any specific Guiding Principles<\/a> that you would operate under . Sec. Chao thats why the president made infrastructure repair, rebuild and refurbishment such a priority. Let me also point out, structurally deficiency does not mean the bridge is unsafe. What what structurally deficient means is that there will be more president elect inspections. So i do want to make that clarification. Sen. Ernst thank you very much. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Sen. Barrasso thank you, senator ernst. Senator gillibrand. Sen. Gillibrand thank you. Thank you for being here. On friday, senator schumer and i wrote you to raise the issue of funding for maintenance backlog that exists for amtrak. There have been a significant infrastructure issues at penn station and new york over the past few months. Because commuter trains use amtrak rails that, impacted amtrak and the Long Island Railroad<\/a> and the new Jersey Transit<\/a> as well. Last month, there were detwotwo derail ments and there was t two derailment and there was significant hardship for new yorkers who rely on the Long Island Railroad<\/a> to travel between long island and new york city. These disruptions have become unbearable for manufacture my constituents and boils down to the fact that we have not done a good job in maintaining our fran infrastructure over past several decades. What assistance can you and the department of transportation provide to amtrak to help them to move forward quickly with the repair work at penn station and reduce further impacts to riders . Sec. Chao we have actually met with amtrak, with the board and also with the president on this issue. Its a very complicated real estate play, if i may, play being movements. Because pen station is located right below Madison Square<\/a> garden. There is a station that is being contemplated. So it is a very complex real estate. But nevertheless, i understand your concerns. Im concerned about it. I had a discussion about gateway and the tunnel there and the condition thereof and how thats also delaying amtrak. I look forward to working with you as well as senator booker on the new york and new jersey issues. do you think the plan will include additional funding for Passenger Rail<\/a> and the gateway project . Sec. Chao there will not be a specific list of projects. The infrastructure proposal is being put together with a much more greater view of principles , and given the decentralized nature of our transportation infrastructure overall, there will be seeding of federal dollars that hopefully will leverage other moneys from perhaps a private sector, state and local, and two the 1 trillion. State and local i take back, but to the 1 trillion. But we found when there is federal government funding, that displaces state and local funds as well, so we believe the infrastructure concerns and needs are so great that all entities need to collaborate. Sen. Gillibrand yeah. i agree. Concerning back to the trains issue. Congress has extended a deadline for railroads to implement the positive train control in the f. A. S. T. Act. Implementing positive train control is stoenl preventing future derailments due to operator error. What is the current status of the departments efforts to implement positive train control requirements, and will you ensure that congressionally enacted deadlines republican forced . Sec. Chao absolutely. We just got the omnibus passed , thanks to the congress, and we now have the money. Well be beginning to give them out. Sen. Gillibrand ok. My last question is we have another issue in new york about the transport of crude oil by rail. Its a growing concern to a lot of our communities and my state, particularly along the hudson river and cities upstate. During your confirmation hearing , you were asked whether you would support on going work about it department of Transportation Energy<\/a> on the volatility of crude oil. You could not comment until you had been confirmed and had an opportunity to be briefed. You have had a chance to be briefed on this topic and will you support continued work by the department to address the safety risks of crude Oil Transport<\/a> by rail in a meaningful way through regulation . Sec. Chao number one, safety is always number one. Its my top priority. Number, two i have been briefed on it. Its a complicated issue. We are not quite sure thou go forward it with yet. But definitely since you brought it up again, we will go back and not that we have not been paying attention, but that we will give it a renewed effort again. Sen. Gillibrand thank you. And then just to comment from the last exchange was with senator duckworth and with senator from iowa, i really appreciate this interest in Rural America<\/a> and we have huge issues in new york as you know. A lot of rural areas. And not all projects are economic. So you do need federal investment. But there are some impediments will cities. They cant do p3s, for example in, new york city. Its not allowed by new york state law. And so sometimes youll need federal funding as well even for projects in urban areas because they dont have the facilities to do all things that are possible. Thank you, madam secretary. Sec. Chao thank you for bringing up that. Sen. Barrasso thank you, senator gillibrand. Senator shelby . Sen. Shelby thank you, mr. chairman. Of course, everybody can tell im the Junior Member<\/a> of this committee. [laughter] sen. Shelby and i came on this committee for one reason. I knew how important the infrastructure challenge was in this country and in this congress. We all have our interests state by state, whether its iowa, whether its my state of alabama and everything. We know that a lot of our infrastructure is crumbling. We know a lot of our ports are inadequate. The question is, i appreciate your support to publish service. I think you bring a different wrinkle to the transportation challenges as secretary. But weve got to create a Critical Mass<\/a> here. This year if, there is any way to do it. Its not going to be easy. And we have to look at the macro challenge that we have. And how are we going to do it . This committee will play a big role. Obviously, the finance committee will play a role. The Appropriation Committee<\/a> will play a role ultimately. But if were going to grow our economy and create jobs, i think the president is right on this, weve got to address our infrastructure. You are at the forefront of it. I do believe and we talked about all this today some, but it is complex and im sure its not all worked out yet. Theres got to be a combination of other things. But there is so much more money in the private sector. I would be interested im not going to discuss it today, specifically, but how do we leverage the private sector . There are a lot of Creative Minds<\/a> in this country in the finance area. How do we do this . We do it everywhere else. If we can do it in the transportation sector, can you drive around or you can ride a train, can you do this and see or can you go to a port and see what good infrastructure does and what it attracts in the private sector. Weve got to do this. You know, 60 years ago we started the interstate highway system. God knows that was a monumental thing. But we cant rest on. That a lot of it is crumbling, as you know. Our population is growing. Im looking at the senator from california. Most popular state. And the biggest challenge for infrastructure, but all of us, my state is 23rd, five million people. And we have those same problems everywhere. Sec. Chao i couldnt agree with you more. And the president does as well. And thank you for bringing up the infrastructure creates good paying jobs as well. Because thats another topic that the president constantly talks about and is very concerned with as well. Publicprivate partnerships is not one of doing things but its it is a method by which the private sector would be allowed to participate in Public Sector<\/a> financing. As we have just heard, new york state does not allow publicprivate partnerships. And so huge swaths of the private sector are able to invest in a critical part of our country by people, who i might, say are actually the most prosperous of all in one of the states to do so. So we also need to be incentivizing and discouraging we need to be incentivizing state and local entities to engage more in the private sector, to not discriminate against the private sector in their desire to help finance where they can the infrastructure. Sen. Shelby there is so much capital looking good looking for good investment. It could be a solid investment for a long time. A lot of our endowments, universities looking for a good return on their money. Look at the savings today. We have a lot of money in this country. But we got to marshal it and put it together. That is going to be one of our challenges. But we have to do it. If we dont, were failing the american people, are we not . Sec. Chao absolutely. Sen. Shelby thank you. thank you, mr. Chairman. Sen. Barrasso thank you, senator shelby. Senator harris. Sen. Harris thank you for being here. I have a few questions that relate to california specifically. I know youre familiar with the transportation challenge thats california faces and the actions were taking to address those challenges. The subcommittee met yesterday and heard about how californians are investing in substantial amounts of their own money in the states transportation future. And we need federal support to continue. The mayor of los angeles was here yesterday. So i want to ask you about the departments involvement. In a few of those projects. One of the high priority for our state is the caltrans project. This is widely supported. It has already raised 1. 3 billion in matching funds. It was highly rated by your department and is ready to Start Construction<\/a> immediately. In fiscal year 2017, the spending bill that the president just signed into law Congress Passed<\/a> 100 million for this project. The law, however, requires that department of transportation enlt near a full Funding Grant<\/a> agreement for projects to receive the funding. Now all that is need ford construction to start and for 10,000 jobs that will be part of this project to actually be hired and to be filled sfort department to execute the ffga as its known. As you know, the contract to begin construction expires on june 30th. So in a very short period of time, senator feinstein and i sent you a letter last week urging that we execute the agreement so the project can begin. The project could be in jeopardy if the full Funding Grant<\/a> agreement is not executed very soon. Can you give me a status on that . Sec. Chao weve been we have been very much focused on caltrans. So please let me assure that you this is a subject that we are we pay a great deal after tension to. I have spoken to speaker pelosi. 50 starts of the new budget goes to california. So theres a lot of money going to california. There are a number of projects there. The fiscal year 2017 budget gave about 100 million. That has helped. Going into fiscal year 2018, we hear rest of it. Its another 118. But california and in particular caltrans is not the only project that is waiting for this money. So im about 107 million short. So the 100 million in fiscal year 2017, that can go out. Ive been given the money about the omnibus bill. And in 2018, fiscal year 2018, its 118 million. But the funding required is 225 million. So im about 105 million short. Harri so does foe. So then w y rommend we dress the deadline that wef june 30th inerms of we have a requement that we get the full funding agreent by that date in order f the wk to be done . C. Hao well, its ta problem. I undersndhe deadline. But theres nounding. Sohats a problem. Sen. Hri how do you sugges we fix the proem . Sec. Chao i wish i knew. Weveeen talking to governor i met with vernor brown. So it is an issue. I think thcalifornia delegation nee tco together and discu. There apartoe split opinions on this project a ll. Sen. Harri so you are saying that the departmenof transportation cannot issue the ffga . Sec. Chao i can not sue it if the funding isot. The. N. Hars can you not issuit if the funding isot there then how do we [ no audio ] sec. Cha we nt commit to e out year funding. How we work on it toghe d is a big problem. We dt have the fundi f it. Sen. Hars so i would urge your department under your leadership to help us relve this before june 30th. Because, again, were tking about thousands of jobs. Sec. Ha i understand. Sen. Hris and infrastructure concerns that california h around transpoatn. And then i would alsli t ask about west side purple line extensioprecin los anles. Perhaps you talk tthe mayor out. That they qutefunding in this years report and seeng to enter an engineering phase. Can you commit thiyears ojt wl follow the f. A. S. T. Ts expectations and re projects and recommeed projects for funneling . Are you familiar with that . Sec. Cha i dont know. That im very filr it with. The mayor and i talkedbo it. Heee 1. 3 billion in purple line funding. And i understand the significance of it. Its tied into e oject that working on. But asf so we i said to him that i would lo at it. But thats for outyears, that not for 2017. Sen harri ats correct and there any work question do to ll up on tha sec. Chao ialways willing and eager to worwith you and your office. Ill let the mayor know what the prpect is. Sen. Harris thank u. i appreciate that. Sen. Arsso hank you, senator harris. Senator . Thank youmrchairm. And s ni to be here with yo secretary chao. Thk you r what youre doing and for coming before the committee. Id like to ben with just asng cmit ment as we all, have a appreciated commitment to work with my office on west virgins last priority or o prrity iraructure projects. But the coletion of quarter age. Asou know, its the last bit left of e appalachian highway devepment stem thats been der construction for 52 years. So i just would hope that you all and you have been, the depament in the past has and i would assume youou continue that commiento finish that lastittle veryifficult to build part of thatystem. I see u shaking your c. Chao i hope so. Capito oo thatous od. On the kg alroject, twinlt i wa to highlight the work that federal Highway Administration<\/a> hason they have been leading theay withdrawing geerhe core, the ep fh and wildlife pront projects and he beenery reonve to state and local stakeholders. Theyre moving forwd one sttch of the highway andhe fhwa led by acting ecutive directorloria epard was the st was very response on the need to coordinate environmental reviews. s a very different pje that basically is a coal project where at the end there will be a highways after the ld reclaimed. Its been a project thats been in the mix for a very longim and very stalled out. Were trying to find a wato when the ming cpleted to have a paved rea ste. And it would save private stake holderand the private taxpayers money in terms of 110 miion. Ths how much it should save on a femile stretch. So want thank you. Your department in rtular the fhwa f their work on. So thank you for th. Is goes to the p3roct. Im not going ask you to repeat. I knowouve been asked abou this a lot. And you have talked a lot ou the possibilities and some of e drawbacks and so i would encoage you and as youre moving forward with is inastructure package to look at more other crti p3 projects such this king coal highway project as we are moving forward. So i dont ally have a questi. There, but i dha a queion colyecse one of my biggest prioriti a y and i talked authis is broadband deployment. Our staty statof West Virginia<\/a> rks 48th. Im on bl that senator hatch has that sat enst and senatoeast and senator and senar fischer on that would low broadband deplment along existing rigs of way on feral lands. Icurious tonow is this part of the disssion in the infrastructure you said principles will be coming out in the next several weeks. It see to me this will be a great prinplto include in this. Do you have any mmts on that . Sec. Chao i think the simpl answer is yes. Yes. That is an area that weve discussed. And while thfil principles have not been finalizefo release y, that is an area that we talked extensively about. Sen. Cit iasn mein stdaanthhighlit infrastructure and th cke d the excitement o ciesnd busess and admistrati a oer questi ce well, reest ca ufr teear ciesl. L. Ione ofhe thmar l. A. Was er deerndashvil. D e mmtshath me s donma the stehe passhrghorllheedal doar wh ihat is in e gerascmef thin, w ma of thdollars th ce roh rd su ds pass roh e ate i want me in our ca, wod y a eade. A largpeenge se chao 00 tmy detaingo tough the atand they aoce it oa rma si se cit so i would n that aspect, dagree thhe marsf largcitiesa alr statthat we dont ve the critical masinnyf our ti tbe ablto put geer large pjes. I think our ste onwith he stakeholders d r stat legiates and ourtate dots d. O. T. s d our infrastructu counse and water and sueer in good sionobable t priotize wre projects becausweot want to t dollar here,ollar here, dollar re. Weant completed projts isure y do to ill be interestedo e how thatebe esorward. Sec. Chao ts understandle that mayors hope t money goes directly to them. Se capit right i didnt ame them for that. T ater is a will o coress and hinth departme dtribute those funds is what wllolw. Sen. Capito but traditionly its be tou t ste . C. Chao right se barrasso thankou, setor ci senator whitouto enor capito. Setor wtehouse. S. Itouse ank you. Inhofe onor my sidanno a i can tell yohe is powerful either y. In washiton, a who viety ofreas, tnk in the lavely biptin lmnd quiet ofurntesin infrastrtu, aditions of ou caninttee, considerable suppo, d hope th t ainistrion will not on anjam congress infrastructureuilt b rher wo i barsa bicamal fashn get somhi tt everybody cacebre en the y de. Thank y. Your first point d second point, yesome of horse, we would keo collaborate th congress becse witutour or opatn, the wl no bill, and as u mentne ts is o othfew vehicles whh we hope toaveipartin cooperatn. Sen. Whihoe ood. And of course erprivat capital was come in, it has to be investments, and the investme has t he rur anthat meanshe h tbe a renue strea, and foa nserable aunt of our frastructure requirements, the is noreside revenue stamaninany cases, it would be hard to figure ou hoto generate one. I s t ftory bridgin ago,ndk f ds was builtnhe950s, it eds to be rebuilt they are never going to put toll bridge ont. It is t ing to be atig of a bdg you actual nd realoney in orr get those kinds of Infrastructure Project<\/a>sone, so i sure a emphasing what a t of my llgues have saidbut in addioto creativeinci a regulatorylents, there has real ro ce of funding for ostypes of projects, herwisth simply wont get don i hope you understd d accept that. Sec. Cha we do. Sen. Whitehouse oo so the lt ing i will mention is tt,s you may knowrhe land is a coasltate. Erybody livesithin lfn hourf eho. Dont ha aime ofoastal ates he,ut our ranking statein a coaal states areeeg a particularroem, particular wi the seaevel rise ojections thatoaandhat state cstal oicls are pricng think a sator shelb would conserimlf cstal state well. Sen. Hihouse so heou. So hwould. He some issues out this problemecse the seaev rise projections are celerating faiy st. Inany cas,ocal commuties dt have the resources to do e anng and do the updati sohey can understand whathe conditns are that ey neeto ild t there is npot in bldg to a t condions tt ll nobease i20ea, not i you buildg infrastructure. And one of the tngs th we veee a rhode isld least,s that the fema mping for fld sks dly ernes. On of ththgs i wilbe presngou want, a i hope my astal colls wille le to do sinull biptisan shion, we need to keure we t pnngng in d e tao at we know to wh conditions these in must be built, anthat is often beyo the cabit of th lol commuty, d t extenthath fema mapping is as erreous in other places as itasroven toe irhode island, an l opeople are being miedbout what the coitions are goi tbe if you could just put an asri nt mcoents and theakeaway bng rembe coastal obm and be sure that part of the bill helps g the planning rhto at the frtrtus il suicnt and in a y at needso and aayhat defense fr thencachmenof whose waters e in measurably si. Sec. Chao ha you very much im not awe of ts iue,ut sen. Hihoe onehi, d just is not accure. C. Cha tnk you sen. Brasso hank you, senator whitehouse. Maram oumr. Chair. Can you lk about t re that lllay in longterm anorti plan in t uny . C. Hao i gw ianrban area ce as ha aays used public transit, d i have alyseeve supportivof at as well rural area,ed and a rul ate, and ty have different needs as well, but overl, am very supportivof transit. Senor schz d nar merklewoe and i worked ha toake sure there was an improvement a pvionn a. S. T. Act ierms o delonguidanconhe devepmt ofhe devopntor the country. You have any ideofhat the s of that provioin the law in terms of plenng . Pla ot, and i am ress in at, but after this arg, will a find out. He issuef onomy anrds iser imrtant to me as well. 2007, ias the house spons thehe l to authorize creasef the elcomy standardsf e hicles which weri in our cotry, and a pnt in time whe eris a rvaation werehaisoi to take place of the rulations, reaching. 5iles l ay e year 25 eailes galny the 2025. We do tha wback o of miion barrels a day that we import. 3 milontimporting rrels oil a day frompec. Ats e best wayhawe can oiln order to back outhat sohawere not sending young men and women over to e midd ilst but ratrorotect testo our cnt b ratherhawe arensinwe e t nsing oil on the rlhere iouown country. Cayota abouthe stas the departnts recitio time thrulehy wa ged, there was supposed to ba vi, to m unrstanding,hichas accelerated,hi is wh we reinsted it agai e a was working ts,nd up wi ade coming rget. Midterm review. Sen. Ary is it in ameris best ierest to try to meet at 54. 5 mile peralnoa which was edosy to naon security, bacngut at oil, creating energy dendence . R r coury a general philosophy out horapidly yowould like s aransfoation on our aumove secta . Transit i was secretary back in 19,nd i woedn back then. Certainly thosetandards were muchower, and we havempved onhe b bk then, the s alsdiscussion of w t prect thalce of our economy, increase the fu look on mof the autobile, while notroviding any dampeningr hamperinofcomi growt rethink osdiscusons stilongoing. Wef cour all caps off the environmt, we want to t righthi. I ink tserell discussions between have with you d other members of the ngress, the senate a the congre. N. Ary thankou thinst itself year after arasnjoyed hisri ineas sal,nd i think that is reflection actually of w lcoming the public is to isutomation,hioo factor bng bui io these vecles, e el economy standards. And you allust review, which think every auto manufacture is going to have to make in 2018, if he sells 4,000 a electric hicles a 35,000 a pce i think we shldnse at atet factored vy cleay to any reevaatn that takes place. I think that is in andf itse going to trigg aame ovefo traditionaways o looki a automotiveechnoly in our country. We thank you for ur rvice, and i just nt to an mr. Hairman, you and the ranking member. Am ready to go anywher anytime, to work oa biptisan frtrtu bl. I am willing two wh anyby any time. Tnkt absolutely imperative for our countryhat we have a lla paesnd passes ts year, andopefully we cano so quickly. Sen. Barrasso thank you. Se chao thank you. S. Rk ,o closg thoughts . Mr. Chairman, i would likto ask for sen. Barrasso whout obction. Hewe met at my office we talkedis mon, abt e number of options to pay for stuff, including transportation. One ini did not touchn day was an idea th h a lot of s were the last congrs , and on eleme ota from cuya in particarorra tracks are from tax reform, the idea is to deem it paiad, it is sitting up short, maybe accidentally,ot 35 , 40 , and it wou break billion, a big o time. Withouweould use that to fu transportation Going Forward<\/a>. Aually it ia big e tim you lk about going to the ea cot and new york cityanin new yorkity, y he the tunnels th, i do not know, are 90, 100 yrs old. I ve been stuck in these tunns. Isu you have as well. All kindsfs National Importance<\/a> atou e, fund aignetim like the kinof moneye are talking aboufr repatriation. It could not be used to fundur ansportati going forrd. Do nothi it is approprte for growing the rpatta rate gngorwardecause it is a big one time. But i wanted to meiothat. U indicated the adminiraon was especially hpf in funding to world commuti where they cann aay have es plicprivate panehips and may n worso well. I ask you not to forget the urn eas. ,here are urban areashere frankly,hey do notave the money either and as i id earlier, trdf r states shld have a position on blprivate ptnerships. Tes just took the idea off the bl we ask you not to forget the urban areas. Buts shocked to learn th, 80ofeoe in this couny veithin 60 milesf the coast it does not mean wshould forg t fksive in betwe the coast. s a t people t partment of trsptaon aprentlyas delay se portant res to require rfmae targets f our infrastructu, performance rgs. I dont knowfouve had a an to get into this. We put in legiatn, we sd wt t fund wt wos. Righ in orderoin o wt works, we p in these rfmae targets t actlly measure performance towards those targets. Vie lombardi, footba cch of thereat britaenay packers. He use to sa unless yre keeping sce,oure ly practing. I in the rulesre now schedud to be effective on may 20th. I think tyve been deled twice alad i jus wted to ask you if u can comtod tollowing theules to go forward and go to effts seded. Again, theyve been dayed twice. E uamia with this . I aware of the performan of theeqrents for rfmance evaltis. Im not awareha the deaine is may 2 which is three day fromno well follow up wh qfr questis for therecord. Thank you. We init a good idea, nd out what works, do more of that. You dont he pformance measures, isar to know. Filly, youenoned tee things youere gog focus on one wa safety. Lls how t departmt is spondi to safet csen theoa today,ncding a risingumber of pedestrian fatalies whi is a cause o grt concern. Give u a glimpsento what youre thinking of dng on t safety side, particularlyn the derian safety si. 40,000 people die on the roads, highways bdg last ar, its going up. When i was dut secretary of transptation, the total fatalities oheigay w 51,000 when i camback iurn uary of is year i w pased tha the number dropped do. Unfortunely, that numbe was increased again, 7 8 respecve, so war very concne about that. We have askedumrf the agci that evoed highways, toork together to see how we can why thiis happin and finut what the ot is and then we will he clear course of acon i cse whth,. Chairman, aad secretary, if wha aoo performance meares anef those is very likely to include safety fatalitie a that sort of thing. If we ve good Performance Measures<\/a> in place, well hav a idea of whichtas are bng moffective i reducin falities. The idea wou b t lk at thestates,inut whats rking, reduce tfalities, do more of tt. Thank yosouc odluck. Were happy tbeith you today. Ha you. Thank you, mamsecretary. Were grateful you spent your time withs ts rning. Anyou for the open awe youve given to eh of the esons. Some of the oeremrs of the committee may haveom writt questions that theyll smit butm veryraful for yr teston today. Thank you so much. Itthat, our hearing is journe an ask you a questio about the spl otheoney . Om theer clear private sect. These think the democratsill push to get the dict funding numb total up . I sharewi secretary chao what i shadith you today at thhearing with respect to publicprivatearerips. We a dngurir one in dewa right now there e 35 stes whe they ve ner de one and like in tas, of the states th just okhe ide o t tabl the idea that somehow in a cotry we ihe las30 years we have done 30 blprivate partnershs d new now wl nd the ons share by pubcprivate panerships i shared wh e secretary here at theearing a wle lisof. Ential optio bullet. No silver i privateptnships hope we can grow, t mentiod otr of others as ll so fasuesd having fuinin place and that publicrivate parerships are a priity. O of the things they to off the table,t s a surprise to mespially ith a interested in ing fer dollartoevagprate doar we uset delawe throug we use it in laware. Grants off the table, iont know if that i the directn they wanto go. We wilhave a great secta of transportation. She must be like she idrking fr air hose, i kw i would. We will work togetr as wgo forward. Canouegret recaon the tiger grt progm . All i know is wt saw in e dget f 27 and know they essenally tk the entire grantsff the table. Stay tuned. Thk you. Announcer this morning, treasury sretary Steve Mnuchin<\/a> teifies aboutiscal licy a a senate bking committee hearg. Liveovage onspan3 csp. O, d e cspan radio p. Washingtonouals ve every day with news and poli iue th iacyo coming up th mni, republicanonessman of orgia lks aboutfftso strength theeah system as part of mental heah st as part of crinareform iscusses the impacf brex o u. S. Transaanc relaon brad sherman of califoia will talk about predent trumps first foreign trip. Beure to watchsns whito journ le 7 00 a. Stn this morning. Join the discussion. Saturday on book tv, live allday coverage of the gaithersburg, maryland, book a. M. Val starting at 10 00 eastern, maria olson on her book. Goodman, author of insider at the cia. Author Sharon Weinberger<\/a> at 12 15 a. M. Discussing her book the imagine years of war imagineers of war. Craig shirley on reagan rising. Blumenthal,ney author of wrestling with his angels the political life of abraham lincoln. The 15, Sally Freeman<\/a> on jersey brothers, a missing naval offir in the pacific and his familys quest to bring him home. At 10 00 a. M. Y eastern on book tv. Los angeles mayor Eric Garcetti<\/a> spoke tuesday at","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"\/\/ia600609.us.archive.org\/28\/items\/CSPAN_20170518_074800_Transportation_Secretary_Elaine_Chao_Testifies_on_Capitol_Hill\/CSPAN_20170518_074800_Transportation_Secretary_Elaine_Chao_Testifies_on_Capitol_Hill.thumbs\/CSPAN_20170518_074800_Transportation_Secretary_Elaine_Chao_Testifies_on_Capitol_Hill_000001.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240628T12:35:10+00:00"}