Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Reauthorization

Accolades Pour In for Senate Transpo Bill From All Quarters

Praise for the Senate transportation bill and its bipartisan passage is pouring in to the inboxes of Congressional transportation reporters this afternoon.

Here's the statement from the traditionally pro-highway U.S. Chamber of Commerce...

Passage of MAP-21 is a long-awaited victory for the business community and the American people... The Chamber commends the chairs and ranking members of the committees of jurisdiction for striving for a bipartisan bill.

...and from AASHTO, the association of state DOTs:

Their bipartisan approach helped set a path forward for this bill that not only provides a greater degree of funding certainty for states, it also establishes reforms that will streamline project delivery, consolidate programs, and improve performance reporting and accountability.

The bill also drew (somewhat more tentative) praise from advocacy organizations like T4America...

The Senate today has done the nation a great service in overcoming partisan gridlock to help Americans avoid literal gridlock... While there are still additional reforms that could improve the overall program, we have to commend the Senate for doing its part, and in so doing has created a road map for transportation policy that can win bipartisan support.

...and environmentalists:

The Sierra Club applauds the bipartisan coalition that fended off the desperate attempts of big polluters to derail a bill that will put Americans to work rebuilding and improving our transportation system and will begin to reduce our dependence on oil. Although there is room for improvement, this bill takes important steps forward in repairing our existing infrastructure and investing in clean, convenient transportation options such as transit, biking and walking.

The bill's applauders all urged the House to pass a transportation bill -- current policy runs out on March 31 -- while recognizing the abundant superiority of the Senate bill over what the House most recently proposed.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Are Down on Highways

Two outlets recently featured articles on the harmful effects of ongoing freeway projects.

April 26, 2024

Commentary: There is Zero Ambiguity to the West Portal Tragedy

What happened in West Portal was entirely predictable and preventable. The city must now close Ulloa to through traffic and make sure it can never happen again.

April 25, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Details of Development Reform in Minnesota, Part I

Jim Kumon of Electric Housing discusses his work as a developer and urban policy educator in the Twin Cities.

April 25, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines Don’t Like Riding on the Passenger Side

Can you take me to the store, and then the bank? I've got five dollars you can put in the tank.

April 25, 2024

Study: When Speed Limits Rise on Interstates, So Do Crash Hot Spots on Nearby Roads

Rising interstate speeds don't just make roads deadlier for people who drive on them — and local decision makers need to be prepared.

April 25, 2024
See all posts