James Oberstar: “I earnestly support the extension of the current law as embodied in the pending legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in…”

“I earnestly support the extension of the current law as embodied in the pending legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4916, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part IV, but I regret that we are forced, for the fifth time, to temporarily extend the highway, transit, and highway safety programs. Since our last extension two months ago, there has been some progress on the TEA 21 reauthorization. Nevertheless, the Committee on Conference has come to no resolution on the appropriate funding level for successor legislation to TEA 21. Members of both parties of both Houses have worked diligently and in great earnest with each other and the White House, but have been unable to reach a meeting of the minds. We agreed to extend current law to continue the vitally important work of our highway, transit, and highway safety programs. However, I regret that, because of certain objections from Members of the other side of the aisle and the Other Body, this extension bill does not continue two critical elements of TEA 21.”