House of Representatives
Basics
GOP’s Lunatic Plan for Funding Transportation Draws Nothing But Scorn
House Republicans announced on Friday the latest in a long line of hare-brained schemes for funding the Highway Trust Fund, which is projected to become insolvent in August. Their ingenious proposal is to pay for transportation by making cuts at the post office.
June 3, 2014
The House GOP’s Campaign Strategy: Do Nothing on Transportation
A Senate committee has unanimously approved a transportation bill. Three other Senate committees are holding hearings on the bill. But over in the House? Crickets.
May 29, 2014
How the Federal TIGER Program Revived a Cleveland Neighborhood
Cleveland doesn't look like a dying Rust Belt city these days in the Little Italy and University Circle neighborhoods. In fact, it looks like it's thriving.
May 15, 2014
GOP Appropriations Bill Would Turn TIGER Into a Roads Program
As the president’s transportation proposal fades from the news cycle and we eagerly await the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s six-year reauthorization bill, here comes the House Republicans’ proposed budget for transportation and housing for next year.
May 7, 2014
Active Transportation Loses a Key Republican Ally as Rep. Tom Petri Retires
For years, if there was a Republican sponsor of a good piece of legislation on active transportation in the House, more often than not it was Tom Petri of Wisconsin. Advocates will be sorry to learn that Rep. Petri has announced that after 35 years in Congress, he will not seek another term.
April 18, 2014
Paul Ryan’s New Budget Seeks to “Murder” Amtrak
Just four months ago, the country was hailing a bipartisan budget deal negotiated by Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray and her House counterpart, Paul Ryan. It was a respite from the deeply partisan posturing over spending that has gridlocked Washington for years. Even better, it was a two-year budget resolution, meaning it seemed the next fight would be a long way off.
April 4, 2014
Rep. Joe Crowley Announces Pedestrian Safety Bill — The Third in Six Months
Rep. Albio Sires has his New Opportunities for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Act (HR 3978). Rep. Earl Blumenauer has his Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act (HR 3494). And now, Rep. Joe Crowley has unveiled his Pedestrian Fatalities Reduction Act.
April 1, 2014
Transit Benefit Reappears on the Congressional Agenda
The tax benefit for transit riders has zigzagged dizzily from parity with the car parking subsidy to second-class status. Currently, while drivers can pay for up to $250 in parking costs per month with pretax income, transit riders can't claim more than $130. Could it zigzag back up?
April 1, 2014
The Next Transpo Bill: Can Congress Solve the Funding Problem?
It's that time again. Just 18 months after the passage of the latest federal transportation bill, known as MAP-21, Congress has to get serious about the next one. The first hearing on the bill that will replace MAP-21 took place today in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
January 14, 2014
TIGER Funding Gets 20 Percent Boost in Final 2014 Spending Bill
We’re less than a third of the way through fiscal year 2014 and we already have a budget! Well, almost -- the president still has to sign it. But the House and Senate unveiled the details of the omnibus budget bill yesterday, and just having a complete bill that both parties and both chambers have agreed to is a pretty big deal.
January 14, 2014