MAKING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE, AS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE CODE

On 2026-08-31, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8) delivered a floor speech titled "MAKING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE, AS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE CODE" in the House.

MAKING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE, AS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE CODE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 137 (Monday, August 31, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 137 (Monday, August 31, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5281-H5282] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MAKING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE, AS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE CODE Mr. ONDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4523) to make technical amendments to title 49, United States Code, as necessary to improve the Code. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4523 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Table of contents. Sec. 2. Purpose. Sec. 3. Technical amendments to chapter 224 of title 49, United States Code. Sec. 4. Other technical amendments. SEC. 2. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to make technical amendments to title 49, United States Code, as necessary to improve the Code. SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 224 OF TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE. (a) Definitions.--Section 22401 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(A) The term'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--The term''; (B) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) as subclauses (I), (II), and (III); (ii) by striking ``(B) The cost'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Direct loan.-- ``(i) In general.--The cost''; and (iii) by striking ``Calculation of the cost of a direct loan'' and inserting: ``(ii) Inclusion.--Calculation of the cost of a direct loan''; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II); (ii) by striking ``(C) The cost'' and inserting the following: ``(C) Loan guarantee.-- ``(i) In general.--The cost''; and (iii) by striking ``Calculation of the cost of a loan guarantee'' and inserting the following: ``(ii) Inclusion.--Calculation of the cost of a loan guarantee''; (D) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``(D) The cost'' and inserting the following: ``(D) Modification.--The cost''; (E) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``(E) In estimating'' and inserting the following: ``(E) Net present values.--In estimating''; and (F) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``(F) When funds'' and inserting the following: ``(F) Basis of estimated cost.--When funds''; (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(2 U.S.C. 900(c)(9))'' after ``Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985''; and (3) in paragraph (12)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 20102''; and (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 24102''. (b) Direct Loans and Loan Guarantees.--Section 22402 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``government sponsored'' and inserting ``government-sponsored''; (2) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 20157(i)''; (3) in subsection (f)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(2 U.S.C. 661c(b)(1))'' after ``section 504(b)(1) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990''; (B) in paragraph (5)-- (i) in the matter before subparagraph (A)-- (I) by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22406(a)(2)''; (II) by striking ``(Public Law 114-94)'' and inserting ``(Public Law 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312)''; and (III) by striking ``(Public Law 94-210)'' and inserting ``(Public Law 94-210, 90 Stat. 31)''; and (ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(Public Law 117- 58, div. B, 135 Stat. 652)'' after ``Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021''; and (C) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``(Public Law 117-58, div. B, 135 Stat. 652)'' after ``Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021''; (4) in subsection (g)(1)(C)(ii)(II), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; (5) in subsection (h)(3)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 24312''; and [[Page H5282]] (ii) by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 24308(a)''; and (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22404''; and (6) in subsection (i)-- (A) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking the heading ``Actions by the Office of Management and Budget'' and inserting the heading ``Actions by the office of management and budget''; (B) in paragraph (4)(A)-- (i) by inserting ``(Public Law 117-58, div. B, 135 Stat. 652)'' after ``Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021''; and (ii) by striking ``an streamlined'' and inserting ``a streamlined''; and (C) in paragraph (6)(A)-- (i) in clause (iv), by striking ``refinancing an'' and inserting ``refinancing of an''; and (ii) in clause (ix), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 5323(j)''. (c) Administration of Direct Loans and Loan Guarantees.-- Section 22403 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402''; (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402''; (3) in subsection (c), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402''; (4) in subsection (d)(3), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402(f)''; (5) in subsection (g), in the matter before paragraph (1), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402''; (6) in subsection (h)(1), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402''; (7) in subsection (i)-- (A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402'' each place it appears; and (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``of this section''; and (8) in subsection (m), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402''. (d) Substantive Criteria and Standards.--Section 22405(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402''. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 22406 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking the period at the end; (2) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22402(f)(5)''; and (3) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22403(l)(1)''. SEC. 4. OTHER TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. (a) National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau.--Section 116(d)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``of this title'' after ``sections 22401 through 22403''. (b) Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021.--Section 21303(1) of the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 (49 U.S.C. 22402 note) is amended by striking ``section 22402(b)(1)(E) of title 49'' and inserting ``section 22402(b)(1)(F) of title 49''. (c) Grant Conditions.--Section 22905(c)(2)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``of this title'' after ``section 22404''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Onder) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri. General Leave Mr. ONDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4523. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Missouri? There was no objection. Mr. ONDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 4523, which provides technical corrections to Federal transportation law related to the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program. The meaning of the law remains unchanged. It simply improves the statute for legal clarity and accuracy. This is part of Congress' role in providing revisions to the code to account for new laws passed by Congress and additions or changes those laws make. It is a simple and straightforward measure that ensures the United States Code reflects the most up-to-date information. I encourage my colleagues to support this and other technical corrections bills on the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The legislation makes a variety of technical corrections to title 49, following enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, but it makes no substantive changes. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. ONDER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Onder) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4523. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR4523, HR4523