Pete DeFazio

Lawmakers Push For Federal Help With Transit Operating: Read the Letter

The House and Senate are racing to reach agreement on a $90 billion bill to keep the Iraq and Afghanistan wars funded, but the legislation also could mark a pivotal victory for transit.

By Elana Schor

2:37 PM EDT on June 9, 2009

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The House and Senate are racing to reach agreement on a $90 billion bill to keep the Iraq and Afghanistan wars funded, but the legislation also could mark a pivotal victory for transit.

Rep. Pete DeFazio (D-OR) (Photo: UPI)

The Senate version of the war bill contains a provision that would allow transit agencies to use 10 percent of their money they get from the economic stimulus law to pay operating costs. If the House agrees to add that provision to the war bill, it would be a boon to cash-strapped localities that are facing steep cuts in service thanks to the economic downturn.

Rep. Pete DeFazio (D-OR), chairman of the House transportation committee’s highways and transit panel, has enlisted 26 colleagues for a letter to congressional leaders urging that the Senate’s transit provision be kept in the final version of the war legislation.

CQ reported on the letter on Friday, but we have a complete copy for your downloading pleasure right here. Has your local member of Congress signed on?

Elana Schor

Pete DeFazio | Streetsblog Capitol Hill

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