Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about House of Representatives

Congress Agrees to Keep Transit Operating Aid in War Bill

By Elana Schor | Jun 12, 2009 | 2 Comments

Photo: jough [formerly jough]/Flickr House and Senate negotiators struck a deal last night on a $106 billion war spending bill that also gives cash-strapped transit agencies the ability to use 10 percent of their economic stimulus grants to pay operating costs. The issue of operating costs has heated up in recent weeks, with local transit […]

Carnahan Steps Up Push for Federal Help With Transit Operating

By Elana Schor | Jun 11, 2009 | 3 Comments

While lawmakers maneuver to fill local transit agencies’ operating budget gaps with economic stimulus cash, Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) is taking it a step further with a proposal that would make federal operating aid permanent — and use it as an incentive to spur more state-level funding as well as emissions reductions. Rep. Russ Carnahan […]

When Will Oberstar’s Transportation Bill Drop? Place Your Bets Now

By Elana Schor | Jun 10, 2009 | 1 Comment

At first it was slated to emerge by June 1. Then its release was said to slip to this week. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) now plans to release his version of the six-year federal transportation bill by the end of the month, with a full House vote unlikely to come […]

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

By Elana Schor | Jun 9, 2009 | 3 Comments

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. Peter DeFazio (D-OR). Photo: UPI The Senate version of the war bill contains a provision that would allow transit agencies to […]

GOP-ers and Dems Agree: Feds Need to Get Their Transpo Act Together

By Elana Schor | Jun 9, 2009 | 8 Comments

Reports on federal transportation policy — like campaign fundraisers and lobbying groups — seem to proliferate in Washington, most of them drawing a few days’ worth of news coverage before fading from memory. (Remember the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission and the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission?) Former Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA), […]

House to Vote This Week on Weak ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Plan

By Elana Schor | Jun 8, 2009 | 10 Comments

The House is poised this week to take up the so-called "cash for clunkers" bill, which aims to boost the slumping U.S. auto market by giving out tax credits of $3,500 and up to anyone who trades in a gas-guzzling car for a more efficient model. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is backing a stronger version […]

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