House of Representatives
Basics
What Boondoggle? Private Sector Wants in on HSR Action
President Obama's proposed high speed rail initiative would have the US embarking on the biggest infrastructure project since the interstate highway system. And while the significance of this effort -- and the need for more sustainable transportation options -- may be lost on a few cranky governors, it is not going unnoticed by the private sector. Indeed, while governors in Florida, Wisconsin, and Ohio have made hay about high-speed rail being a "boondoggle" that will cost their states millions, private investors at home and abroad are lining up to cash in.
March 11, 2011
Cyclists Descend on Capitol Hill, Ask Lawmakers to Preserve Bike Funding
Every year, the cyclists that gather in Washington for the National Bike Summit meet with hundreds of Congressional offices to ask for expanded bike funding. This year, they’re just asking lawmakers not to cut it.
March 11, 2011
Cyclists Gathered at Bike Summit Are Told Not to “Wait for Washington”
“How many people are stuck in traffic on their way to ride a stationary bike in a health club?”
March 9, 2011
Transpo’s Losses in First Round of Spending Cuts Look Worse Than They Are
The two houses of Congress were so much at odds over the Republicans’ proposed spending cuts that they needed two more weeks to bicker about it. So last week, they pushed off a little longer final passage of the budget for a fiscal year that started five months ago. But in order to even pass that measly two-week extension, Democrats needed to accede to $4 billion in cuts.
March 7, 2011
House Passes Seventh Extension of Transportation Bill
Just in the nick of time, the House has passed an extension of the current transportation law. The sixth extension of SAFETEA-LU was set to expire this Friday.
March 2, 2011
AASHTO: Government Shutdown Could Cost Transportation Sector $100M/Day
If the House, Senate, and President Obama don’t agree on a course of action by the end of this week, the U.S. will be left with no federal budget, and the government will shut down. Transit agencies and construction interests don't seem alarmed, but the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials estimates that a government shutdown would stop $100 million in transportation dollars a day from flowing into the national economy.
February 28, 2011
Road Interests Crowd Reauthorization Panels in Indiana and Chicago
Road interests continued to dominate the discussion as members of Congress wound their way through Chicago and Indiana this weekend, gathering feedback for the six-year transportation reauthorization bill.
February 23, 2011
Highways Take Center Stage at Columbus Transpo Field Hearing
Make federal transportation dollars more flexible. Tie infrastructure investment to economic development. Streamline the construction process.
February 23, 2011
How Hard Will the Senate Fight Back Against House Spending Cuts?
Members of Congress worked all day Friday, until 4:42 Saturday morning, to finish voting on hundreds of amendments and, finally, the final HR 1 bill to set spending levels for the rest of 2011.
February 22, 2011