FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2005
Jonathan Adkins
(202)789-0942
TEA-21 Reauthorization: Yet Another Extension!
Congress Enacts Extension of TEA-21
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Friday May 27, just before the current TEA-21 extension expired, Congress enacted a one-month extension of TEA-21 to continue funding surface transportation programs, including highway safety. The extension provides an additional $2.9 billion in highway obligation authority and $3.8 billion in contract authority for Fiscal Year 2005. With funds made available under prior extensions, a total of nine-twelfths of the FY 2005 appropriated levels has been released. A total of $8.61 billion of the $34.42 billion in obligation authority provided under the FY 2005 appropriations acts remains on the table.
The House passed its $284 billion six-year reauthorization bill on March 11, but the Senate did not complete its $295 billion version until May 17. It soon became obvious that the two chambers would be unable to put together a conference agreement before the May 31 deadline, and another extension would be required.
With this latest extension, TEA-21 reauthorization is now an upprecedented 645 days overdue.
In a May 24 letter to House and Senate leaders, AASHTO (American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials) Executive Director John Horsley said "the costs associated with the 20-month delay in enacting a multi-year reauthorization bill are continuing to mount. An uncertain funding stream has forced the states to slow down planning and design and to delay construction of critically needed highway and transit projects." Horsley said, "The states cannot afford to lose another construction season. We urge you to enact a simple, month-long extension and appoint conferees prior to the Memorial Day Recess and to complete action on the bill so that further extensions will not be needed."
Read the history of GHSA's position on reauthorization and related issues:
- Association Updates Reauthorization Information
- Association's Position on Reauthorization
- GHSA Testifies at Senate Hearing on Reauthorization
- State Highway Safety Officials Praise House Reauthorization Bill
- State
Highway Safety Alliance urges President Bush to Support Senate
Funding Level of Reauthorization Bill
[66 KB, 1 pg.] - State
Highway Safety Alliance Urges Conferees to Support State
Safety Programs [34 KB, 3 pgs.]
- Association Praises Commerce Committee Bill
- State
Associations, Transportation and Highway Safety Groups tell
Congress: No New Sanctions [48 KB, 3 pgs.]
- State Highway Safety Offices Praise House Action on Transportation Reauthorization
- States Say DOT Highway Proposal is Inadequate for their Safety Needs
- GHSA
Responses to Senate Commerce Committee Questions [111 KB, 6 pgs.]
- Sen. Bond Joins Groups Forming State Highway Safety Alliance
- TEA-21
Reauthorization Recommendation Report [712 KB, 4 pgs.]
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The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)® is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org.