Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about U.S. Senate

Obama Ally Breaks With White House on Timing of New Transport Bill

By Elana Schor | Oct 14, 2009 | 2 Comments

Sen. Dick Durbin (IL), the No. 2 Democratic leader in the upper chamber of Congress and a close ally of the president, broke with the White House Monday and called for a new long-term transportation bill to pass by early next year — not after the Obama administration’s preferred 18-month delay. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin […]

Senate Climate Bill Released With Much Fanfare, Little Focus on Transport

By Elana Schor | Sep 30, 2009 | No Comments

Includes Provision That Would Allow NYC Hybrid Taxi Fleet Flanked by fellow Democrats, members of the military, and a crowd hoisting signs with buzzwords like "clean energy" and "green jobs," Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) today released the first draft of their legislation to curb U.S. emissions and combat climate change. Sens. […]

Deja Vu: Congress Could Put Off Deal on Transport Bill Until Next Month

By Elana Schor | Sep 24, 2009 | No Comments

After a day of twists and turns, the House yesterday approved a three-month extension of the current law that governs spending on the nation’s transit, bridges, and roads. Yet the 335-85 vote obscures an ongoing clash between the House and Senate that could extend into a fourth straight month. (Image: East Bay R.E.) House transportation […]

Klobuchar & Webb: Dems’ Unlikely Opponents of Bike-Ped Investment

By Elana Schor | Sep 16, 2009 | 4 Comments

Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) attempt to curb federal investment in bicycle and pedestrian paths, as well as other "transportation enhancements," was defeated on the Senate floor today — but it managed to pick up two unlikely Democratic supporters in the process. A college-age Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), with her father. Photo: Klobuchar for Senate Sens. […]

Compromise or Concession: Congress Faces Tough Transport Choices

By Elana Schor | Sep 8, 2009 | 2 Comments

Health care and transportation funding are very different items on Congress’ to-do list, but the Washington Post’s assessment of the former issue fits the latter as well: Lawmakers return today from a month-long recess to find a political landscape that has barely shifted from the impasse of late July. Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH). Photo: UPI […]

Senator Dukakis? What Kennedy’s Loss Could Mean for Transport Policy

By Elana Schor | Aug 31, 2009 | 3 Comments

As the nation mourns the loss of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), a discussion has begun over how to fill his outsized shoes, both in Massachusetts’ Senate seat and atop the Senate health committee — two vacancies that could have notable consequences for transportation policy-making. Is rail booster Michael Dukakis headed for the U.S. Senate? (Photo: […]

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