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Wednesday, March 3, 2004
Contact: Brian Turmail,
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
DOT 24-04
2005 Transportation Budget Request Funds Key Priorities,
Keeps the Economy Moving, Secretary Mineta Testifies
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said today during a Congressional
hearing that the Department of Transportation’s 2005 budget request makes the
right investments needed to fund key transportation priorities and keep the
economy moving.
The Secretary testified in support of the President’s $58.7 billion budget
request for the Department before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies. The Secretary told the panel
that the budget request addresses the nation’s transportation priorities,
demonstrates fiscal responsibility and proposes needed reforms.
The Secretary noted the FY ‘05 budget request included funds for highway,
transit and safety programs in line with the President’s fiscally responsible
surface transportation proposal, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient
Transportation Equity Act, or SAFETEA. “The President’s plan supports the
economy through record investment in highway programs, without raising taxes,
increasing the deficit or taking money from other important programs,” Secretary
Mineta said.
The proposed budget requests $14 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), including $6 billion for new runways, air traffic control towers and
technology to keep planes safe and on time. This request ensures the FAA can
continue investing in new aviation safety systems and developing next-generation
technologies, the Secretary noted. “We will be able to meet our aviation
priorities and add capacity to the air traffic system with this request.”
The Department’s budget proposal includes reforms for the Essential Air Service
(EAS) program, which has seen a decline in passengers the past several years.
The program pays airlines to fly to communities that they might not otherwise
serve. The new plan would provide a mix of transportation options that
communities would invest in together with the federal government. “Our approach
will provide communities with the kinds of service that get the best return for
the taxpayers’ dollar,” the Secretary said.
The Administration has proposed a package of reforms to help Amtrak better serve
travelers, create partnerships with states to invest in regional rail service
and focus on operations. The proposal links reforms to an increase in funding,
offering to boost the current $900 million request to $1.4 billion annually from
2006 to 2009 if those reforms are instituted.
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