WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), questioned Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao at a committee hearing on “Improving America’s Transportation Infrastructure: the Road Forward.”
On the Administration’s Infrastructure Plan:
“As we know, the administration has committed to a comprehensive infrastructure bill.
“As you mentioned and so did I, highways, roads, and bridges should be a central component of any infrastructure bill.
“Could you talk a little bit more about the administration’s view on ensuring that a major part of the funding of any infrastructure package is used to maintain and upgrade the nation’s highways, roads and bridges and the fundamentals we are focused on here?”
On the Impact of Regulations on Rural Communities:
“Using resources in a better and smarter way. One of the things I talked about in my opening statement was the one-size-fits-all approach. And when I see some of the proposals on measuring and combating traffic congestion in say New York, New Jersey, California they make perfect sense.
“But in Wyoming they don’t. In terms of the amount of money we would have to spend to do the kinds of things to monitor things. The road between Casper, Wyoming, where I live, and Cody, Wyoming is 214 miles. There is one traffic light kind of half way in between, in Thermopolis. Pretty much people don’t worry about the amount of traffic.
“The reason they put the traffic light there was not that they felt that they needed it many years ago but it was just that they were concerned that when students went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie they wouldn’t know how to work a traffic light, when they were driving. So they put a traffic light up.
“Are there ways that we can work together to look for some common sense regulations in terms of rural America?”
Click here for video of Chairman Barrasso questioning Sec. Chao on the impact of regulations on rural communities.
On the Administration’s Timeline for the Infrastructure Package:
“Could you please provide us with an update on the administration’s timeline for the infrastructure package?”
Click here for video of Chairman Barrasso questioning Sec. Chao on the administration’s timeline.
On Formula Funding for Infrastructure Projects:
“I’m going to talk a little bit also about the way that funds are distributed in the current funding formula program. It seems to be working and people agree. Is that your thought as well?”
Click here for video of Chairman Barrasso questioning Sec. Chao on formula funding.
On Streamlining Infrastructure Projects:
“Given your existing authorities, could you talk a little about your vision to streamline the regulatory process to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects?”
Click here for video of Chairman Barrasso questioning Sec. Chao on streamlining projects.
###
