Congress reaches deal on transportation bill, the first since 2005

[alp227]

Last edited Thu Jun 28, 2012, 01:57 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: washington post

Congress has reached an agreement on a transportation bill for the first time since 2005, averting a crisis that could have disrupted the nation’s highway projects at the height of the construction season.

In the final days before a deadline, Republicans dropped their demands to piggyback onto the bill approval for the Keystone oil pipeline, as well as relaxation of proposed restrictions on coal ash produced by power plants.

In return, Democrats gave up on $1.4 billion for conservation and agreed to allow states more leeway in how they use money that was once mandated for landscaping, bike improvements and pedestrian walkways.

“I am so glad that House Republicans met Democrats halfway, as Senate Republicans did months ago,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), the bill’s chief architect and advocate. “The bill is funded at current levels, and it will protect and create 3 million jobs.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/congress-reaches-deal-on-transportation-bill-the-first-since-2005/2012/06/27/gJQA8U8W7V_singlePage.html

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The bill runs thru 2014 and would rely on the Highway Trust Fund.

[SunSeeker]

1. Wow. Good news for a change. nt

[freshwest]

4. +1

[alp227]

5. I wonder if Boehner will cry during the press conference announcing the deal.

Because he and his fellow CONS FAILED in yet another attempt to make Obama fail!

Let's see:
- the government did not shut down
- the US did not default on the debt
- now millions of transportation workers won't get laid off and get mad at EVERYONE (including Obama)

if any of the previous three scenarios were true, Romney would be pretty much handed the election this year.

Next: the student loan rates!

[Tx4obama]

2. I heard something on TV today that they had to reach an agreement on a few things before midnight

in order to get them on the schedule to be voted on before they leave for the holiday break.

Looks like the 'midnight' stipulation was correct.

[Oldtimeralso]

3. What about Amtrak or FAA funding? n/t

[SleeplessinSoCal]

6. Congrats to my Senator Boxer! What a relief.

[WCGreen]

7. Nice avatar....

Yes, she didn't quit on the bill..

[Carla in Sequim]

8. My (silly?) question

Will we see improved employment now, before the election?

[babylonsister]

9. This is a BFD!!! Rec'd! nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. It was smart of Democrats to pad the bill with stuff to trade away

Like the bike paths. Republicans HATE bike paths. They consider them "elitist".

[fasttense]

11. There's a highway Trust Fund and RepubliCONS haven't raided it?

There sure want to raid the Social Security Trust Fund but they are a ok with the highway trust fund? I guess the Highway Trust fund goes to improving things, while the Social Security Trust Fund goes to improving people.