Recent Streetsblog SF posts about House of Representatives

House Quickly Sends $2 Billion More to ‘Cash for Clunkers’

By Elana Schor | Jul 31, 2009 | 5 Comments

The "cash for clunkers" rebate program, which promises new auto buyers up to $4,500 for fuel-efficiency upgrades as small as 2 miles per gallon, is back to life after burning through $1 billion in taxpayer cash. Minutes ago, the House approved $2 billion more in auto rebates by transferring cash that was already headed for […]

Make-or-Break Week for Transportation Begins on the Hill

By Elana Schor | Jul 27, 2009 | No Comments

After weeks of uncertainty and tension, the congressional impasse over long-term transportation funding is headed for resolution this week — but the reprieve may be temporary. A decisive week lies ahead for House transport chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN). (Photo: Capitol Chatter) When we last left House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), he was calling […]

Obama Administration Refuses to Consider New Transpo Funding

By Ryan Avent | Jul 23, 2009 | No Comments

Having entertained legislators’ own ideas about how best to fund future transportation spending, the House Ways and Means committee turned to representatives from the administration and key interest groups today to hear their thoughts on the matter. The administration’s view could not have been much clearer — this business is all very important, but we’re […]

Lawmakers Pitch Transport Funding Ideas, From VMT to Freight Taxes

By Elana Schor | Jul 23, 2009 | No Comments

Leaders of the House transportation committee, doggedly pursuing a six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill this year, pressed their case this morning before Ways and Means Committee colleagues who must approve a new funding mechanism for their massive legislation. On transport funding, a question looms: Whither Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY)? (Photo: BusinessWeek) […]

Advocating for a Transpo Bill That Keeps Transit Riders Moving

By Ben Fried | Jul 22, 2009 | No Comments

Large cities continue to grapple with big gaps in their transit budgets. Graphic: Transit Riders for Public Transportation. Advocates in cities across the country are mobilizing today to support increased federal funding for transit service. Transit Riders for Public Transportation (TRPT) a national coalition focused on bringing "environmental justice and civil rights priorities to the […]

Transportation Reform Is Health Reform

By Elana Schor | Jul 17, 2009 | No Comments

During the Washington budget debate earlier this year, a phrase widely attributed to White House budget director Peter Orszag was rolling off many a reporter’s keyboard: "Health reform is entitlement reform." Orszag’s idea, in a nutshell, is that controlling the nation’s skyrocketing health care costs, which are fueled in part by the obesity epidemic, would […]

Show More Stories