Nick Rahall
Top House Dem on Transportation, Nick Rahall, Lost His Seat. That’s OK.
Four years ago, another stunning night of GOP victories took out Representative Jim Oberstar, the Minnesota Democrat who chaired the House Transportation Committee. Had Oberstar kept his seat, the new GOP majority would have cost him the gavel, but he would have continued as ranking Democrat. Instead, Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia coal country took his place. Now, Rahall is out the door too.
November 5, 2014
UPDATE: Reminder: Amtrak Subsidies Pale in Comparison to Highway Subsidies
UPDATED 9/24 with chart.
September 21, 2012
Is the House Democrats’ New “Buy America” Jobs Bill Just a Political Ploy?
With no movement on a highway bill from House T&I Chairman John Mica until after Congress reconvenes in January, Ranking Member Nick Rahall held a press conference today to introduce the “Invest in American Jobs Act of 2011” [PDF]. The act would strengthen the “Buy America” requirements already in place on transit, rail, highway, bridge, and aviation programs.
December 1, 2011
New GAO Report: All States are “Donees” When it Comes to Highways
You've probably heard some grumbling or chuckling -- depending on where you live -- about the way federal highway funds are distributed to states.
October 12, 2011
CRS: Northeast Corridor Privatization Plan Violates Constitution
The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has examined the question of whether the GOP plan to privatize Amtrak’s most valuable corridor is constitutional – and it’s determined that it is not.
July 13, 2011
Mica Accedes to Dems’ Request to Delay Action on Rail Privatization
John Mica has blinked.
June 21, 2011
Rahall, Brown Say Dems Must Be Consulted on Rail Privatization
The top Democrats with jurisdiction over rail in the House are asking for a little old-time bipartisan cooperation in the Transportation Committee. They’re complaining that Republicans have shut them out of the process on one of the most important, game-changing proposals to come down the pike in a while: taking the Northeast Corridor away from Amtrak and putting it in private hands.
June 16, 2011
“Path to Prosperity” or “Road to Ruin”? Either Way, the House Says Yes
By a vote of 235 to 193, the House approved the GOP budget proposal for 2012, which cuts $6.2 trillion more from the budget over 10 years than President Obama’s proposal. A big portion of that bite comes out of transportation. Compared to Obama’s plan, it spends $633 billion less for transportation.
April 15, 2011
Mica Touts Public-Private Northeast Corridor HSR In Grand Central Hearing
Sitting beneath the famous zodiac mural of Grand Central's main concourse, with the rumble of commuters and trains in the background, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held its first field hearing of the new session this morning. The topic was the future of high-speed rail on the Northeast Corridor.
January 27, 2011
House Transpo Committee Promises Bipartisanship, To Tackle Aviation First
Meet the new House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
January 26, 2011