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Managing America: Disaster Aid

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending August 3, 2007

H.R.3311 To authorize additional funds for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 bridge located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007, to waive the $100,000,000 limitation on emergency relief funds for those emergency repairs and reconstruction, and for other purposes.

The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to carry out a project for the repair and reconstruction of the I-35 bridge that collapsed on August 1, 2007 in Minneapolis, MN.

The bill sets the Federal share of the project at 100%. The bill authorizes the appropriation of the $250 million to be available until spent. The limit of the Federal spending in such a matter is set at $100 million in the US Code, but the bill waives that limitation.

The funds may be used by the Minnesota State DOT for actual and necessary cost of maintenance and operation of additional public transportation services and traveler information provided as temporary a substitute for the highway route that collapsed. The Federal funds will augment transportation tolls and fares received.

Sponsor:  Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN-8^th)

Vote: The bill Passed the House August 3, 2007 421 to 0 RC 819. Passed the Senate by voice vote August 3, 2007.

Cost to the taxpayers: $250 million to be repaid.

Earmark Certification: Not applicable to this bill. 

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