[House Report 116-613] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 116th Congress } { Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session } { 116-613 ====================================================================== LONG BRIDGE ACT OF 2020 _______ December 2, 2020.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Grijalva, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H.R. 7489] The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 7489) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Commonwealth of Virginia or the District of Columbia certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Park Service for the construction of rail and other infrastructure, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of H.R. 7489 is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Commonwealth of Virginia or the District of Columbia certain federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Park Service for the construction of rail or other infrastructure. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION Long Bridge, the most heavily traveled railroad bridge connecting Washington, D.C., to Virginia and other southern states, is one of the most significant chokepoints for the East Coast's rail transportation system. The bridge connects the northeast and southeast freight rail networks and extends the spine of the nation's intercity passenger rail system from the Northeast Corridor to the Southeast. The existing bridge, which is at 98 percent capacity during peak hours, is used by Amtrak, CSX freight trains, and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter trains. H.R. 7489 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey to, and authorize the use by, Virginia and D.C., certain National Park Service (NPS) land for the construction of a new Long Bridge structure for rail and other infrastructure purposes. The Long Bridge Project would double the capacity of the Potomac River rail crossing by adding a second two-track bridge adjacent to the existing bridge. As required for the construction of the bridge, the bill conveys the title and interest to approximately 4.4 acres of NPS land to Virginia, of which any unused portions would revert back to NPS at the discretion of the NPS director when the project is completed. COMMITTEE ACTION H.R. 7489 was introduced on July 2, 2020, by Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA). The bill was referred solely to the Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. On July 13, 2020, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill. On July 29, 2020, the Natural Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered, and the bill was adopted and ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. HEARINGS For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 116th Congress--the following hearing was used to develop or consider H.R. 7489: legislative hearing by the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held on July 13, 2020. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT 1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act. With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested but not received a cost estimate for this bill from the Director of Congressional Budget Office. The Committee adopts as its own cost estimate the forthcoming cost estimate of the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, should such cost estimate be made available before House passage of the bill. The Committee has requested but not received from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. Congressional Budget Office staff has informed the Committee on a preliminary, informal, nonbinding basis that the bill will likely have no revenue effects and would result in an insignificant net decrease in direct spending over the 2021- 2030 period. 2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goals and objectives of this bill are to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Commonwealth of Virginia or the District of Columbia certain federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Park Service for the construction of rail or other infrastructure. EARMARK STATEMENT This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. UNFUNDED MANDATES REFORM ACT STATEMENT An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee. EXISTING PROGRAMS This bill does not establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government known to be duplicative of another program. APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW If enacted, this bill would make no changes to existing law. SUPPLEMENTAL, MINORITY, ADDITIONAL, OR DISSENTING VIEWS None.