TEA-21 - Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century Moving Americans into the 21st Century
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This historic legislation reflects President Clinton's priorities of providing fiscally-responsible, balanced investment in our transportation system while continuing to invest in our people. -- Secretary Slater, May 22, 1998

President Clinton and Congress have agreed to an ISTEA reauthorization bill: the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, TEA-21. The President's March 1997 ISTEA reauthorization proposal was based on the premise that ISTEA works, and that it should be continued with major new programs targeted to meet the challenges of the new century. Congress agreed; no Presidential transportation proposal has ever been followed as closely as this one. Congress adopted the President's key proposals for:

• Increased Safety. Protects Americans' health and safety through programs to increase seat belt use, reduce crashes at highway-rail crossings, and prevent pipeline explosions. It also fights drunk driving through $500 million in incentives to encourage states to adopt tough 0.08 blood alcohol concentration standards.
  Congress agreed with the President's call for increased NHTSA funding, a strong highway-rail grade crossing program, new and expanded incentive programs to promote seat belt use and fight drunk driving, national One Call legislation for pipelines, and upgraded airbag safety technologies.

• A Cleaner Environment. Strengthens proven strategies to safeguard public health and the environment, such as the $8.1 billion Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program to help communities clean their air, $3 billion in Transportation Enhancements to help them improve their quality of life, and new technologies, such as less-polluting trucks developed through the $250 million Advanced Vehicle Program.
  President Clinton called for keeping CMAQ as a distinct program, greatly increasing funding for CMAQ and Transportation Enhancements, and preserving flexibility to transfer highway funds to transit and intermodal projects.

• Expanded Opportunity. Expands opportunity for all Americans through a new, $750 million Access to Jobs program to help those making the transition from welfare rolls to payrolls; a continued, effective Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program; and strong labor protections for transportation workers.
  President Clinton first proposed the welfare-to-work program, fought for continuing the DBE program, and insisted that traditional labor protections such as Davis-Bacon and 13-C continue.

• Rebuilding America. Guaranteed $198 billion to continue rebuilding America's transportation system. Record investment while keeping faith with our commitments to a balanced budget and to President Clinton's priorities such as education, child care, and Social Security.
  President Clinton supported record investment, but insisted that it fit within the balanced budget without cutting education and other priorities. TEA-21's guaranteed level of $198 billion cuts about $17 billion in excess spending initially approved by Congress.

• A Balanced Approach. Expands core highway programs while providing $42 billion for transit, $1.3 billion for Intelligent Transportation Systems, and expanded flexibility to use funds for intermodal projects.
  Congress adopted the President's proposals for building on ISTEA's intermodal approach through increased investment in transit, expanded use of preventive maintenance, new eligibility for bus and intermodal projects, and increased benefits for transit users.