Transportation

Transportation systems have long been the vital, life-sustaining arteries of commerce and economic activity. From the trade routes of the ancient civilizations to the space stations of the future, accessibility has been and will continue to be a defining element for progress and prosperity, particularly for rural areas such as West Texas and the Big Country. More recently, the interstate highway system in the United States has been a notable catalyst for expansion and economic development.

Today Americans are spending more time on the roads and less time in their homes with their families, which is why we need to create more opportunities to provide safer and less congested roadways that American taxpayers deserve.  I will be working closely with other members of the Texas delegation as we work to reauthorize the highway bill that is scheduled to expire in the coming year.  We must work together in a bipartisan basis with our state and local partners to set responsible priorities to enhance Texas roadways. 

I am pleased to support H.R. 734, the Transit System Flexibility Act, which will help smaller communities with transit systems.   This legislation would authorize the Secretary of Transportation to make public transportation formula grants for operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000 if the state or regional authority providing public transportation for the area operates less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours. 

Americans deserve the right to travel to their destinations of choice with safety and ease, which is why we need an efficient air traffic control system based on 21st century technology that will make our traveling experiences easier.  In addition, to address the concerns I have heard regarding the increased use of wind turbines in West Texas, I have drafted legislation that would call on our federal agencies to develop a publicly useable clearinghouse to provide interested land owners the pertinent  information they need prior to installing wind turbines on their land.  It would be helpful to them if they knew in advance if they were doing undue harm on training operations at Dyess Air Force Base.  That language is currently in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act which passed the House and is awaiting Senate action. 

Increased investment in transportation infrastructure will have far-reaching impacts on the quality of life in our communities, our nation’s economy, and our competitiveness in the world marketplace. Each day, every American and every business will benefit from shortened travel times, increased productivity, and improved safety.