Price statement at hearing on Department of Transportatoin budget request

Thank you, Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Pricefor holding this hearing. I would like to welcome Secretary Foxx before the Subcommittee today, and thank you for your service to the country.  

Last fall, Republicans and Democrats joined together to pass abipartisan budget agreement that set the discretionary spending level for Fiscal Year 2017.  

Unfortunately, some in the majority are intent on turning their backs on that agreement, further constraining your department’s ability to fully implement the initiatives contained in the recently passed surface transportation bill.  

I know that Chairman Rogers is anxious to move the appropriations process forward through regular order agreement, which I support. 

Today, our nation faces significant challenges to our transportation infrastructure.

The Department of Transportation’s budget is forward-thinkingand would prioritize investments in our nation’s changing infrastructure needs, improve efficiency and effectiveness of our transportation system, and foster economic growth.

The budget builds on the FAST Act, which seeks to make critical investments that would enhance our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

As we work to deliver the funds to rebuild and update American infrastructure, we must be mindful of the critical role that the Department of Transportation plays with regard to safety. 

For example, the tragic grade crossing crash in my district last year underscores that we must enlist a multifaceted approach - eliminating grade crossings where we can, developing new technologies that will identify obstructions, educating drivers, and ensuring that the Federal Railroad Administration has a robust inspection staff to identify hazardous crossings. 

Finally, I would like say a word about the efforts to privatize our nation’s air traffic control system.  

Mr. Secretary, I am sure you are aware that Chairmen Rogers and Diaz-Balart as well as Mr. Price and I have expressed strong concerns about these privatization efforts, based on our commitment to protect the public interest and public investment in this critical asset that is so essential to our economy.  

Every day, a dedicated and highly-skilled controller and technician workforce safely manages thousands of flights and maintains round-the-clock operation of the world’s most complicated air traffic and navigational network.

We value the dedicated men and women who serve as air traffic controllers, technicians, safety inspectors and aviation professionals. 

They are critical to ensuring the safety of our nation’s aviation system, and should not be beholden to a board controlled by aviation industry stakeholders who have an undeniable interest in improving their own bottom line.

The quality and scope of the United States air traffic control program are unmatched by any other country. We should continue to make improvements to the technology and operations of the system, but it would be a major mistake to undermine the funding model and oversight that makes our air traffic control system the best in the world.

I hope we can work together to ensure that the United States remains the global leader in aviation.  

I look forward to your testimony this afternoon.  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.