Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about U.S. Senate

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

By Elana Schor | Jul 30, 2009 | 6 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. Image: City-Data.com What wasteful projects have drawn such scorn from the duo? Not […]

A Make-or-Break Week for Transportation Begins on the Hill

By Elana Schor | Jul 27, 2009 | No Comments

After weeks of uncertainty and tension, the congressional impasse over long-term transportation funding is headed for resolution this week — but the reprieve may be temporary. A decisive week lies ahead for House transport chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN). (Photo: Capitol Chatter) When we last left House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), he was calling […]

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 […]

Transportation Reform Is Health Reform

By Elana Schor | Jul 17, 2009 | 8 Comments

During the Washington budget debate earlier this year, a phrase widely attributed to White House budget director Peter Orszag was rolling off many a reporter’s keyboard: "Health reform is entitlement reform." Orszag’s idea, in a nutshell, is that controlling the nation’s skyrocketing health care costs, which are fueled in part by the obesity epidemic, would […]

Five Down, Five to Go: Plan Linking Transit to Climate Bill Wins Sponsors

By Elana Schor | Jul 17, 2009 | 1 Comment

Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported this week that the Obama administration — which often talks about reducing transportation-based emissions — is staying mum on a bill that would devote a guaranteed share of revenues from carbon regulation to transit, bike paths, and other green modes of transport. But that doesn’t mean the proposal, otherwise known as […]

Lawmakers Aim to Bring ‘Sustainable Communities’ From Talk to Action

By Elana Schor | Jul 8, 2009 | No Comments

When three agencies in President Obama’s Cabinet — DOT, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency — banded together to promote "sustainable communities," the initiative sounded promising but somewhat lacking in concrete ideas. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) attached his green housing legislation to the recently passed House climate bill. (Photo: AP) Enter a […]

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