Recent Streetsblog LA posts about Federal Transportation Bill

Bunning Throws in the Towel, Congress Restores Transport Funding

By Elana Schor | Mar 3, 2010 | No Comments

Workers at the U.S. DOT and on transportation projects around the country are back on the job today after Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) lost his politically hazardous battle against a 30-day extension of federal infrastructure law and unemployment benefits. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) (Photo: CNN) But while Republicans sought to distance themselves from Bunning’s five-day […]

Transportation Filibuster Update: Bunning Won’t Yield to Fellow GOPer

By Elana Schor | Mar 2, 2010 | No Comments

Federal infrastructure funding and many U.S. DOT workers remain in limbo today as Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) continues his one-man filibuster of legislation extending the 2005 transport law, turning himself into a Democratic target and a poster child for Washington gridlock. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) was heard quipping "tough s—t" as he began blocking an […]

Federal Transportation Law Expired Over the Weekend: What’s Next?

By Elana Schor | Mar 1, 2010 | 1 Comment

A new month begins today without rules in place to govern federal transportation programs, thanks to an objection by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) to quick approval of a short-term extension of existing law. The Natchez Trace Parkway, where trail construction is set to stall today thanks to inaction on federal transport law. (Photo: TheFunTimesGuide.com) The […]

Deja Vu Again: One-Man Senate Filibuster Imperils Federal Transport Law

By Elana Schor | Feb 26, 2010 | No Comments

A familiar script for Washington infrastructure watchers began to unfold last night on the Senate floor, as House-side resistance to a 10-month extension of existing federal transportation law prompted Democratic leaders to seek a quick deal on a one-month stopgap — the fourth such short-term move in six months. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) (Photo: CNN) […]

Republican Trades Jobs Vote Bill for Promised Transportation Reauthorization Vote Later This Year

By Elana Schor | Feb 23, 2010 | No Comments

Compelling infrastructure news out of the Senate last night: The long-delayed successor to the 2005 federal transportation law could come to a vote sooner than the spring 2011 timetable sought by the Obama administration, thanks to a promise secured by Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) in exchange for his vote in favor of the Democratic jobs […]

Bipartisan Senate Jobs Bill Has Highway Trust Fund Rescue But No TIGER

By Elana Schor | Feb 11, 2010 | No Comments

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and his panel’s senior Republican, Chuck Grassley (IA), today offered a job-creation proposal designed to garner enough GOP votes to overcome an anticipated filibuster. Senate Finance Committee chief Max Baucus (D-MT), at left, with GOP ally Chuck Grassley (IA) at right. (Photo: Baucus Press) The measure’s transportation provisions […]

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