Reauthorization of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The topic before the Subcommittee this morning is what form the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reauthorization legislation will ultimately take. The Senate bill, S. 1072, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 (SAFETEA), includes a number of important provisions that we think will bring needed improvements in the way cars are designed, and save lives in a cost-effective manner. This legislation will give NHTSA the kind of guidance we believe it needs to proceed with rulemaking in these areas. We have worked actively with Senators on both sides of the aisle to insure that this is a balanced bill that makes the most of this opportunity to reauthorize NHTSA for the next six years. We urge the members of the Subcommittee to support this proposal.