Recent Streetsblog USA posts about U.S. Senate

Transit Union Apologizes to Senate After Campaign-Finance Flap

By Elana Schor | Aug 6, 2009 | 2 Comments

The United Transportation Union (UTU) is moving quickly to smooth over relations with the Senate Commerce Committee after sparking bipartisan ire with a claim that a former UTU counsel won a presidential nomination thanks in part to the union’s political contributions. Obama administration nominee Dan Elliott (Photo: UTU) The UTU released a document last month […]

The Perils of Taking Transit Advice From an Alabama Senator

By Elana Schor | Aug 5, 2009 | 2 Comments

During yesterday’s Senate Banking Committee hearing on transit’s funding needs, the most emotional testimony came from Washington D.C.’s Metro chief, John Catoe — who, as the Washington Post reported, delivered an abject plea for federal aid to keep his system running safely. Would you take transit advice from this Alabama senator? (Photo: Left Eye on […]

Following ‘Cash for Clunkers’ with ‘Riches for Rail’

By Elana Schor | Aug 4, 2009 | No Comments

(Photo: 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 done about […]

Separating Myth from Fact on “Cash for Clunkers”

By Elana Schor | Aug 3, 2009 | 3 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 […]

McCain & Coburn: Let’s Make Roads Safer — by Slashing Safety Money

By Elana Schor | Jul 30, 2009 | 1 Comment

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 (R-AZ) (Photo: City-Data.com) What wasteful projects have drawn such scorn from the duo? […]

Senate Debating House’s $7B Trust Fund Fix, With 4 GOP Amendments

By Elana Schor | Jul 30, 2009 | No Comments

The Senate began debate this morning on the $7 billion rescue of the nation’s highway trust fund that was passed by the House late yesterday, with four GOP amendments slated for a vote. The first proposal, from Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), would replenish federal highway programs with unused money from the $787 billion economic stimulus […]

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