Transportation
The issue of Transportation is important to our district and to my work in Congress.
Few issues are as vital to our Nation as the free flow of goods and services. For that reason, I have been at the forefront of ensuring that the U.S. has one of the world’s safest, most efficient, and most modern transportation systems. I remain committed to making sure that the locks, dams, and other associated infrastructure components that maintain Kentucky’s waterways, roads, and railways are adequately funded and properly maintained. In doing so, I believe that we can provide jobs, business investment, and long-term prosperity for the First District.
Both businesses and consumers utilize Kentucky’s transportation system. From the farmers who rely on the Hickman-Fulton harbor to get their goods to larger ports, to the coal producers who rely on the railroads to move their shipments to power plants, to vacationers who visit the marinas on Lake Cumberland, I understand that a well functioning transportation system is an integral component of economic development. For that reason, I have supported initiatives like the I-69 corridor that seek to bring more commerce to the area, and worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to provide funding for the many dams and locks they maintain in the First District.
To ensure safe, dependable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable navigation on our nation’s inland waterway system, I have introduced the Waterways Are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency, and Environment Act of 2012 (WAVE4 Act), H.R. 4342. The WAVE4 Act requires, among other things, the use of objective criteria for the prioritization of essential construction and major rehabilitation projects and protects against cost overruns.
Additionally, it revises the current cost sharing structure for inland waterways projects, reforms the Army Corps of Engineers internal project delivery process, and calls for additional contributions from the waterways industry to pay for these vital infrastructure investments.
I also introduced the Transportation and Regional Infrastructure Project bonds (H.R. 3736) or TRIP bonds, which represent an efficient and effective means of creating jobs and keeping our economy moving. TRIP Bonds are tax credit bonds dedicated to transportation projects. The legislation will allow State Infrastructure Banks to issue $50 billion in bonds over a six year period with the principal cost of the bonds being covered by a trust fund composed of Customs User Fees.
Traditionally, funding for many transportation programs has been accomplished through Congressional Directed Spending, or “earmarks.” However, with the House implementing a ban on earmark requests, I continue to look for new and innovative ways to secure funding for these programs. Recently, I sent a letter to Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development urging that his subcommittee provide more funding to support small harbors that serve rural communities. Additionally, I voted in favor of H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act which will help to ensure that travelers are safe while protecting commercial air service at some of our smaller airports.
Useful Links:
Click here for the homepage for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Click here for the homepage of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Click here for the homeapge of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Click here for the website for the Federal Aviation Administration.
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