Recent Streetsblog SF posts about U.S. Senate

McCain & Coburn: Let’s Make Roads Safer — by Slashing Safety Money

By Elana Schor | Jul 30, 2009 | 2 Comments

A report released today [PDF] by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), timed to coincide with debate on a $7 billion highway trust fund fix, accuses their fellow lawmakers of "raiding" the fund for transportation "pet projects." Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (Photo: City-Data.com) What wasteful projects have drawn such scorn from the duo? […]

Senate Debating House’s $7B Trust Fund Fix, With 4 GOP Amendments

By Elana Schor | Jul 30, 2009 | No Comments

The Senate began debate this morning on the $7 billion rescue of the nation’s highway trust fund that was passed by the House late yesterday, with four GOP amendments slated for a vote. The first proposal, from Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), would replenish federal highway programs with unused money from the $787 billion economic stimulus […]

Senate Panel Backs $1.2B for High-Speed Rail, $1.2B Extra for Highways

By Elana Schor | Jul 29, 2009 | No Comments

The Senate panel in charge of transportation spending has just released its version of the budget bill that passed the House last week, giving less to high-speed rail and more to highways than the lower chamber of Congress. The Senate’s transportation bill, shepherded by senior appropriator Patty Murray (D-WA), provides $1.2 billion for the Obama […]

Four Senators Propose Pushing States to Ban Texting While Driving

By Elana Schor | Jul 29, 2009 | 1 Comment

Four Democratic senators introduced legislation today that would offer states a choice: ban texting and e-mailing while driving within two years or lose 25 percent of their federal highway money. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)(Photo: PatersonOnline) The bill, sponsored by Robert Menendez (NJ), Charles Schumer (NY), Mary Landrieu (LA), and Kay Hagan (NC), comes as the […]

Cardin & Carper Bullish on Transit’s Prospects in Senate Climate Bill

By Elana Schor | Jul 22, 2009 | No Comments

Addressing a climate change forum this morning, two Democrats on the Senate environment committee said they are pushing for transit and other green modes of transport to get 10 percent of the revenue generated by the upcoming Senate bill regulating carbon emissions. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) (Photo: DTI) Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), a chief sponsor […]

Senate Agrees on $26.8 Billion Highway Trust Fund Rescue

By Elana Schor | Jul 21, 2009 | 1 Comment

The Senate took a major step forward last night in its battle with the House over transportation funding, releasing a plan to give $26.8 billion to the dwindling highway trust fund and — perhaps most importantly, for the long term — to restore the fund’s ability to keep the interest it earns. Senate Finance Committee […]

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