Recent Streetsblog USA posts about U.S. Senate

Getting the Message

By Ryan Avent | Jul 7, 2009 | 3 Comments

Two things were clear at this morning’s hearing of the Senate Banking Committee concerning green investments in public transportation. First, transportation experts and leading legislators are very much in agreement on how transportation spending should change. And second, Randal O’Toole’s days as anything other than an anachronism are numbered. Cato Institute fellow Randal O’Toole testified […]

Adding More Transportation to the Climate Change Mix

By Elana Schor | Jul 6, 2009 | 2 Comments

…How about this one? (Photo: Wellsy’s World) Is this senator gettable for the climate bill? (Photo: Washington Post) Nate Silver’s new analysis of the state of play on climate change in the Senate makes a convincing argument that a carbon cap-and-trade system can become law this year. In fact, it raises the question of whether […]

The High-Speed Rail Numbers Game: Is $13 Billion and 110MPH Enough?

By Elana Schor | Jun 23, 2009 | No Comments

High-speed rail is one of the Obama administration’s most prized policy goals, with $13 billion getting earmarked in the coming year alone to help break ground on up to 11 proposed regional corridors. But what will the U.S. get for its money? A lively Senate hearing today attempted to answer that question. Will all 11 […]

GOP’s New Attack on Health Care Reform Bill: It Promotes Walking!

By Elana Schor | Jun 16, 2009 | 12 Comments

Despite a growing awareness among conservatives that walking and biking are causes worth backing, Republicans on Capitol Hill continue to condemn bike-ped programs as wasteful "pork". The GOP’s latest potshots at sustainable transportation come during debate over a health care bill that focuses mainly on insurance and hospitals, but also includes a public health grant […]

Flashback: Is Obama Flipping on Highway Corruption Laws?

By Elana Schor | Jun 15, 2009 | 3 Comments

As Washington waits for the next federal transportation bill to emerge, Streetsblog Capitol Hill is taking a featured look at debates from the last congressional go-round that could impact the upcoming re-write. For today’s installment, let’s take a trip to New Jersey, circa late 2004. Before he was president, he voted to apply state anti-corruption […]

Congress Agrees to Keep Transit Operating Aid in War Bill

By Elana Schor | Jun 12, 2009 | 1 Comment

(Photo: Model D Media) House and Senate negotiators struck a deal last night on a $106 billion war spending bill that also gives cash-strapped transit agencies the ability to use 10 percent of their economic stimulus grants to pay operating costs. The issue of operating costs has heated up in recent weeks, with local transit […]

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