Government Organizations
Proposed Federal Transit Safety Regs Under Scrutiny From House Panel
In June 2009, a fatal crash on the D.C. Metro prompted federal lawmakers to consider adding a new layer of transit safety oversight. Senator Barbara Mikulski, a Maryland Democrat, introduced the National Metro Safety Act of 2009 to establish national safety standards for transit systems. It was never enacted, but it certainly raised the issue's profile, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has not let it fall by the wayside.
April 2, 2012
Advocates Defend New Haven’s “Downtown Crossing” Highway Removal Plan
Earlier this week we ran a story about why local livable streets advocates with the New Haven Urban Design League are disappointed with the city's decision to replace a section of grade-separated highway with a plan that remains, on balance, car-centric.
March 29, 2012
Live-Blogging the Senate Transportation Extension Debate & Vote
The House of Representatives passed a 90-day extension of transportation programs by a vote of 266-158 shortly before noon today. The Senate passed it soon after by an unrecorded voice vote, but only after several Democrats tried (unsuccessfully) to replace the extension's text with that of their own two-year reauthorization bill. The extension is now on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law, averting a shutdown. Live updates from the full Senate debate are below.
March 29, 2012
Live-Blogging the House Transportation Extension Debate & Vote
After a long night's wrangling over the budget, the House convened early (for them) at 9 this morning to tackle a 90-day 60-day 90-day extension of the transportation bill. Despite some fierce opposition from House Democrats who wanted to vote on the bipartisan Senate bill instead of another extension, the measure passed. We're brought you the fireworks as they happened. See below for the gory details.
March 29, 2012
House GOP Is Back to a 90-Day Extension, Will See Debate Tomorrow
Another day, another another twist in the House's efforts to pass a transportation bill.
March 28, 2012
Pressure Mounts on House to Take Up Senate Bill. Does the House Care?
The U.S. Conference of Mayors, Congressional Democrats, some Congressional Republicans, unions, politicians from New Jersey, Chicago and Louisiana -- they all have one message for the House of Representatives: Pass the Senate transportation bill.
March 28, 2012
House Schedules, Skips, Debates, Ultimately Delays Vote on 60-Day Extension
It's like Congressional Whack-a-Mole: Transportation bills pop up just long enough to offer a fleeting glimpse before they retract back into oblivion.
March 27, 2012
How the House Transpo Extension Hurts the Senate’s Two-Year Bill
Congress has five days in which to pass an extension of transportation funding. That means there will be a flurry of activity on the Hill this week to avoid a shutdown of federal transportation programs on April 1. (It also means there will be a flurry of "April Fools" references directed by and at opposing political parties on the House and Senate floors.)
March 26, 2012
House to Vote on 9th Transpo Extension Just as Time and Money Run Out
Reps. John Mica, Dave Camp, and John Duncan have formally introduced a bill that would extend federal transportation programs until June 30, without any changes to funding, policy, or gas taxes. It is officially known as H.R. 4239.
March 22, 2012