Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about U.S. Senate

Carper: Climate Bill Must Focus on Transport, Not Just Power Plants

By Elana Schor | Aug 19, 2009 | No Comments

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), chief sponsor of a plan to give green transportation 10 percent of the emissions allowances in the upcoming climate change bill, took to the pages of his home-state newspaper yesterday with an op-ed that begins with a pithy description of "the problem": Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) (Photo: DTI) We use a […]

Transit Cuts Report Underscores Cities’ Congressional Influence

By Elana Schor | Aug 18, 2009 | 3 Comments

In a report released this morning, Transportation for America (T4A) expands on its months-long effort to map transit cutbacks across the nation and concludes that 10 of the largest 25 local agencies are being forced to hike fares by more than 13 percent. (Photo: T4A) T4A’s report illustrates the punishing effect of such cuts on […]

Following “Cash for Clunkers” With “Riches for Rail”

By Elana Schor | Aug 5, 2009 | 3 Comments

Tom Toles cartoon: Washington Post Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, began his hearing on transit today by displaying the above cartoon by Pulitzer prize-winner Tom Toles. The senator’s message parallels Toles’: In a world where the auto industry can get $2 billion more in one week, what’s to be […]

Separating Myth From Fact on “Cash for Clunkers”

By Elana Schor | Aug 3, 2009 | 12 Comments

As debate rages on in the capital over whether to keep assisting the auto industry by giving out more "cash for clunkers" rebates, two assertions are becoming commonplace: the program is helping diminish U.S. oil consumption, and the program is not paid for with new money. Photo: AP The first argument was reiterated on Friday […]

‘Cash for Clunkers’ Out of Cash — But Not Quite Finished

By Elana Schor | Jul 31, 2009 | 2 Comments

The U.S. DOT may have notified car dealers last night that its watered-down "cash for clunkers" plan was already out of cash, but that doesn’t mean the rebates are on their last legs. With the White House vowing to protect the program, Congress soon could have to decide whether to keep the good times rolling […]

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 […]

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