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Transportation Issues in the 108th Congress
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Intermodal Rail Freight: A Role for Federal Funding?
As Congress considers reauthorization of federal highway and transit programs and funding, currently provided by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21, P.L. 105-178), one issue being discussed is the role of freight rail in the nation’s transportation system. Economic and trade growth, along with growing congestion on certain parts of the nation’s interstate highway system, has focused attention on the ability of the railroads to divert more truck traffic to rail. However, the railroads are currently operating at close to capacity. Many rail analysts question whether the railroads are making sufficient profit to add adequate capacity to their intermodal network. This raises the issue of whether the government could or should assist the railroads in expanding the capacity of their infrastructure. And if so, how a funding program could be arranged.
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (P.L. 105-178): An Overview of Environmental Protection Provisions
On June 9, 1998, President Clinton signed into law the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21, P.L. 105-178). The law authorizes a total of $218 billion for federal highway and mass transit programs from FY1998 to FY2003 and sets aside roughly $12.4 billion for several environmental programs. It authorizes a total of $8.1 billion from FY1998 to FY2003
The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program
This report discusses the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program.
Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
Report that provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring eight National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs).
Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
This report looks at the cost to fund the Coast Guard's program of record's (POR) call for procuring eight National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) as replacements for 90 aging Coast Guard cutters and patrol craft. It also addresses issues for maintenance, future acquisition, and definitions of the types of cutters.
Highway Bridges: Conditions and the Federal/State Role
This report examines the federal and state roles in the maintenance, inspection, reconstruction, and replacement of the nation's highway bridge infrastructure, as well as the emergency response and reconstruction role of the Department of Transportation.
Policy Issues in the General Motors Vehicle Recall
This report discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) process by which vehicle safety defects are identified and vehicles are recalled, as well as the impact that the 2009 GM bankruptcy may have on liability for this defect.
Navy Ohio Replacement (SSBN[X]) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress
This report focuses on the Ohio replacement program as a Navy shipbuilding program. This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Ohio replacement program (ORP), a program to design and build a new class of 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy's current force of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs.
Repairing and Reconstructing Disaster-Damaged Roads and Bridges: The Role of Federal-Aid Highway Assistance
This report describes Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) assistance for the repair and reconstruction of disaster damaged highways and bridges or catastrophic failures (such as a bridge collapse). It begins with a brief discussion of the legislative origins of federal assistance and describes the ER program in its current form. The report then discusses eligibility issues and program operation. Finally, the report briefly describes the major findings of a recent Government Accountability Office report on ER.
DOD Leases of Foreign-Built Ships: Background for Congress
The Department of Defense (DOD) in recent years has leased some foreign-built cargo ships for total periods, including options and renewals, of almost 10 years - a length of time that some observers argue effectively circumvents a legal requirement that U.S. military ships be built in U.S. shipyards. These observers, particularly the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA), have proposed reducing the current five-year legal limit on ship leases to two years for foreign-built ships. DOD has opposed the idea, arguing that its ship leases are the most cost-effective way to meet its needs for the ships in question.
The Railway Fireman Manning Dispute: History and Issues, 1959-1970
This report addresses the railway fireman manning dispute: its history and issues spanning from 1959 to 1970.
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