'We're Finding It Very Hard Just To Make Ends Meet': Reed Decries 'Huge' $1.5 Trillion DoD Budget

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]Senator Reed. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Mr. Secretary, uh the bipartisan infrastructure law expires at the end of September, which means that we're looking at a cut of about $36.8 billion, which were advanced appropriations under the law.

[00:00:22]And at the same time, you will admit readily that your programs are being oversubscribed by localities, uh particularly bill program where there's 800 applications requesting more than $10 billion.

[00:00:37]Uh And the actual fiscal year budget you submitted up uh eliminates funding for bill grants.

[00:00:45]So, we're in a very difficult situation.

[00:00:48]We've made some progress on our infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers have given us [snorts] their report card. We went from a C- to a C+ or C, rather. C- to C.

[00:01:03]Uh we got a long way to go. So, how is the Department of Transportation going to help states meet the needs of our aging transportation system and infrastructure with this fiscal cliff coming up? That's a great question. So, it with our budget, um we don't I can't give you the advanced appropriations.

[00:01:22]That's in the purview of this body.

[00:01:25]Um and so, I've given you um a budget that's consistent and actually more than uh what we had last year and then the year before that, but um this body is has the ability to do advanced appropriations. We don't do that in our budget, but if this body sees fit and wants to put dollars into these programs, um I would welcome that.

[00:01:46]And I think America would, too. No, I think you're right. I think though, stepping back, and I have some duties on the Armed Services Committee with the huge request of $1.5 trillion dollars for our defense budget, we're finding it very hard just to make ends meet on the domestic side uh to increase your funding. I think it makes a great deal of sense, but it's going to be a difficult struggle. Uh President uh excuse me, Senator Capito pointed out the project uh protect funds.

[00:02:17]And we in Rhode Island had four grants.

[00:02:21]Two have been funded. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. Uh but two are sort of not yet obligated. And uh we seem to be in a similar position of we need additional monies this year so that we can go back and fulfill the the commitment we made. Yeah, uh are you going to try to also to sort of reinvigorate and put more funds in the protect program?

[00:02:48]Uh yes. Um that'd be wonderful, but just to want to be clear last last year the the program recipients didn't have enough time to get the permitting done, and the money did expire. And if this body has the ability to give that money back if you would like, and we can make those whole. And but you would be supportive of that.

[00:03:07]>> Yeah, I would be. Thank you.

[00:03:09]Um one area that that you mentioned uh I think is you commendable is air traffic controllers. Um and uh I think we do a lot more to streamline the process for retiring military or separating air traffic controllers to get into the air traffic controlling business. And uh I would like to work closely with you to do that. Senator, I appreciate that. I I don't think we um aggressively enough go after our controllers in the military. There's a great option for them to just uh fold right over into um into you know, into the um into the FAA. I wouldn't just if I could make this point, too. We do have an issue with the controllers. Um we have offered the the controllers who are of the age of retirement who are our best controllers. Uh we've offered them and we were able to take this, you know, from the budget, but we've offered them a upfront 20% cash bonus to stay on if they'll stay on for a year and every year they'll stay um we'll give them uh that money, but I think again we want to get more controllers in the pipeline, get more controllers from the military, but if we have those great controllers who are about to retire, if we can keep them on the job, that's even better for us. So, we're working at all different sides of this problem. Well, I would like to be helpful particularly with the military access to the uh controllers.

[00:04:31]Uh final question is that uh in the bipartisan uh infrastructure law we put in a safe streets and roads provisions. And uh it seems that the money has going more to uh minimize automobile fatalities and accidents rather than pedestrian.

[00:04:56]And we're seeing uh pedestrian fatalities increased by 72% compared to the 30% increase in total fatalities. So, I think a a re- configuration that might also emphasize pedestrian fatalities would be in order and your comments. And I care about the safety of all Americans and I'd be happy to work with you on how we are using the program and how you would have envisioned the program operating. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Senator.