The Surface Transportation Earmark Rescission, Savings, & Accountability Act (HR 5730) would cancel $713 million of federal-aid highway contract authority for 309 member-designated "high-priority projects" from the surface transportation authorization acts of 1987, 1991, 1998, and 2005. Representatives approved the bill by a vote of 394-23. 

"It takes this $713 million off the table so that it cannot be used to increase spending in the future," said House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-Minnesota. "Any savings from this bill will be used to reduce the deficit."

Oberstar added that many of the funds rescinded under this bill are from projects that are complete, but have excess remaining funds that cannot be used now that the project is finished. 

"There is no reason for these remaining funds to stay on the books," he said. "Other projects affected are those that show no likelihood of going forward, due to changing community priorities or other transportation needs.  Rescinding funds from projects that are no longer viable is a practical approach to saving taxpayers' dollars."

More information including a chart of the projects subject to rescission is available at tinyurl.com/HR5730.

HR 5730 now moves to the Senate for consideration. Senators approved an amendment to a Federal Aviation Administration authorization bill in March to rescind all federal transportation earmarks that are at least 10 years old and have an unobligated balance of 90% or more. (see March 19 AASHTO Journal story) The Senate-passed FAA bill has yet to be reconciled with the House version.

This is the second time in consecutive weeks that the House has voted to rescind transportation funds. Last week representatives passed a bill that would rescind $107 million in unspent funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The funds targeted in the bill were authorized for Fiscal Year 2010 but those agencies are unable to use that money because it was not appropriated. (see July 23 AASHTO Journal story)