Cord Byrd: “the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act reauthorization, ISTEA--in other words, the highway bill--sets the…”

“the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act reauthorization, ISTEA--in other words, the highway bill--sets the authorization levels for the current fiscal year and the next 5 years for our Federal highway construction, bridge, highway safety, and transit programs. When the Senate found itself unable to complete action on S. 1173 at the end of the last session, it was necessary to pass a short-term extension bill to tide these programs over from October of last year until May 1, 1998. I supported that short-term extension measure, but I did so with the understanding from the distinguished Senate majority leader, and others in the leadership, that ``immediately following the President's State of the Union Address,'' the Senate would return to the highway reauthorization bill. It now appears that things have changed and that the distinguished majority leader is being urged by a handful of Senators to delay action on it and not bring up ISTEA until after Congress completes action on the fiscal year 1999 budget resolution.”