This week, the Senate began debate on MAP-21, the two-year $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill. Following that vote Senate Majority Harry Reid (D-NV) offered an amendment that is a complete substitute for the entire bill.聽 This substitute contains the titles of the bill from the Environment & Public Works, Finance, Banking and Commerce committees that had been previously agreed to as well as 37 amendments that have been agreed on by both parties.
乌鸦传媒 annually participates in the National Work Zone Awareness Week to highlight the dangers to construction workers and motorists from not obeying speed limits and not being alert in highway construction work zones. This year鈥檚 National Work Zone Awareness Week is scheduled for April 22-28, 2012, with the theme 鈥淒on鈥檛 Barrel Through Work Zones.鈥 乌鸦传媒 will also participate in a National event in St. Louis, Missouri on April 23, 2012. In addition, many 乌鸦传媒 chapters schedule their own Work Zone Awareness events independently or in cooperation with their state DOTs.
Yesterday the Senate began debate on MAP-21, the two-year $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill. Prior to last week鈥檚 Congressional recess, consideration of the bill was held up by a long list of amendments and with several amendments that were unrelated to transportation. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) have reached an agreement to limit the number of non-transportation amendments and then to proceed with amendments dealing with the substance of MAP-21.
On Feb. 14, American Trucking Associations (ATA) filed a petition with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia asking the court to review the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration鈥檚 (FMCSA) final hours-of-service rule. ATA pointed out in its lawsuit that the rules that have been in place since 2004 have contributed to unprecedented improvement in highway safety. The lawsuit challenges the steps FMCSA took in changing the rules that do not meet the required legal standards.
The Senate will vote to begin debate on a bipartisan transportation reauthorization bill next week.聽聽聽 It is anticipated that Republicans and Democrats will come to an agreement on what amendments will be voted on when the Senate resumes consideration of the transportation bill, hopefully clearing the path to final passage.
Rumors are circulating on Capitol Hill today that the Republican leadership is considering redrafting the five year surface transportation reauthorization bill and replacing it with a bill of eighteen month duration. A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner (R-Oh.) acknowledged that a 鈥渞evamped approach鈥 is being considered. The spokesman also said that Speaker Boehner still intends to link the transportation bill with expanded opportunities for domestic energy production.
The House and Senate have been deliberating their respective versions of the transportation reauthorization legislation this week but long lists of amendments in both Chambers have slowed down progress. As a result final action on both bills has been postponed until after the Present鈥檚 Day Congressional recess scheduled for next week.
After more than a four-year delay by Congress and 22 short-term extensions, this week President Obama signed a four-year compromise Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization bill. The legislation includes $13.4 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and extends the airline ticket tax. AIP finances airport infrastructure projects. The AIP authorization level was set at $3.35 billion a year, which is the same amount provided to the program in FY 2012 through the appropriations bill but 5 percent less than was provided in FY 2011.
Despite the importance of this legislation to the highway and transit construction industry 乌鸦传媒 has been told that Senators and Representatives are not hearing from construction contractors about the importance of passing the highway bill now.
The House and Senate have begun deliberation on their respective versions of the transportation reauthorization legislation, but long lists of amendments in both chambers have slowed down progress. As a result, final action on both bills has been postponed until after the Present鈥檚 Day congressional recess.