Tag Archives: Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

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Politics Blowing UP the Transportation Bill ?


URGENT TO CONGRESS: JOBS AT STAKE
June 30 is the deadline for Congress to act on the surface transportation bill. This bill would protect and create good jobs in the United States and begin to fix our crumbling infrastructure, but it’s being held up because of political antics from extreme Republicans.

Tell your members of Congress it’s time to stop playing politics and pass the surface transportation bill.

I’m writing to you because this is urgent. Jobs are at stake.

Here’s the deal. Both the U.S. Senate and House have passed versions of the surface transportation bill—the Senate version of the bill would create or sustain nearly 3 million jobs—and a conference committee of key House and Senate leaders is negotiating final details of the bill right now. But some Republicans in the House want to make it their way or the highway. They want to starve funding for badly needed infrastructure projects and hold hostage family-sustaining jobs.

In the past two and a half years, Congress has settled for nine short-term extensions instead of coming up with a long-term solution to fix our crumbling infrastructure and get ironworkers, crane operators, cement masons and other construction workers—14 percent of whom are currently unemployed—back on the job.

Without a long-term fix, jobs will be lost and our roads, bridges and transportation system will fall into further decay. Click here now to e-mail your members of Congress to tell them we can’t wait. We need to pass the surface transportation bill now.

This is a chance for our leaders to come together and do their part to create good jobs in the United States and invest in our future. For too long, we have watched while politicians pushed policies that have sent jobs overseas while kicking the can down the road on investing in infrastructure projects that would create jobs here.

Tell your elected leaders in Washington to pass the surface transportation bill before the June 30 deadline.

We’re at a critical point in the legislative process. The conference committee reportedly has narrowed the gap between the bills passed in the House and Senate. But, without pressure from working people like you, a few extreme Republicans—intent on slowly starving funding for the transportation system—may get their way. We can stop this from happening.

E-mail your lawmakers to tell them that now is the time for Congress to set differences aside and come together to pass a surface transportation bill that creates and saves family-sustaining jobs, fixes our crumbling bridges, roads and transportation system and keeps in place Buy America and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections for projects financed by the bill.

Thank you for your support.

In Solidarity,

Andy Richards
Digital Strategies, AFL-CIO

P.S. Actions and events are being organized across the country to call for elected leaders to stop helping companies outsource jobs and instead support the patriotic companies that create jobs here. Click here to find an event near you.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate considers S.1789, S.1925 & NLRB


the Senate Convened at 10:00amet April 24, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
  • At 10:30am, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures with the time until 12:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 12:30pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, VAWA.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:50pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36 and conduct a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36.  If the motion is defeated, there will be several roll call votes in order to complete action on S.1789, the Postal Reform bill following the vote at 2:15pm.

This morning the Senate executed the previous order to send the Transportation bill to conference and appointed the senators listed below as conferees. H.R.4348, as amended with the text of S.1813 as passed by the Senate, is the vehicle for the conference.

Boxer

Baucus

Rockefeller

Durbin

Johnson (SD)

Schumer

Nelson (FL)

Menendez

Inhofe

Vitter

Hatch

Shelby

Hutchison

Hoeven

2:16pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution of disapproval relative to the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) relating to representation election procedures; Not Agreed to: 45-54

3:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Lieberman motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Lieberman-Collins substitute amendment #2000, as modified and S.1789, the Postal Reform bill; Agreed to: 62-37

3:38 pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the McCain amendment #2033 (reorganization commission) to S.1789, the Postal Reform bill; Not Agreed to: 30-69

4:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #2061, as modified (mandatory retirement); not agreed to: 33-65

The following amendments are pending to S.1789, the Postal Reform bill:

The following amendments to S.1789 have been considered:

The following amendments to S.1789 have been considered:

WRAP UP

 ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures; Not Agreed To: 45-54

2)      Lieberman motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the substitute amendment #2000, as modified and S.1789, the Postal Reform bill; Agreed To: 62-37

3)      McCain amendment #2033 (reorganization commission); Not Agreed To: 30-69

4)      Coburn amendment #2061, as modified (mandatory retirement); Not Agreed To: 33-65

5)      Udall(NM) amendment #2043, as modified (six-day delivery); Not Agreed To: 43-56

6)      Akaka amendment #2034 (workers compensation); Not Agreed To: 46-53

7)      Corker amendment #2083 (frequency of mail delivery); Not Agreed To: 29-70

8)      Akaka amendment #2049 (managerial organizations); Not Agreed To: 57-42

9)      Paul amendment #2025 (end mailbox use monopoly); Not Agreed To: 35-64

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.432, designating April 30, 2012, as “Día de los Niños: Celebrating Young Americans”.

Adopted S.Res.433, designating April 2012 as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month”.

By unanimous consent, the following items were placed on the Legislative Calendar:

–          S.2338, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012. (Hutchison, Grassley and Cornyn)

–          S.2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act. (Reid)

–          S.2344, To extend the National Flood Insurance Program until December 31, 2012. (Vitter)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 24, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

  -The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 25, 2012.9:02:10 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.9:02:00 P.M. -Mr. Pearce moved that the House do now adjourn.7:23:06 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:15:35 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.7:14:56 P.M. -Mr. Walden asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, for Morning-Hour debate and 1 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.7:14:39 P.M. -H.R. 2157Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:14:36 P.M. -H.R. 2157On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 2 (Roll no. 178).6:45:19 P.M. -H.R. 2157Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2157 — “To facilitate a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest, and for other purposes.”6:45:02 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.6:45:01 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 24.5:02:50 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  6:30 P.M. today.5:02:25 P.M. -H.R. 2240At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bishop (UT) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:57:04 P.M. -H.R. 2240DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2240.4:57:03 P.M. -H.R. 2240Considered under suspension of the rules.4:57:00 P.M. -H.R. 2240Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2240 — “To authorize the exchange of land or interest in land between Lowell National Historical Park and the city of Lowell in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for other purposes.”4:56:45 P.M. -H.R. 491Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:56:41 P.M. -H.R. 491On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.4:53:31 P.M. -H.R. 491DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 491.4:53:29 P.M. -H.R. 491Considered under suspension of the rules.4:53:11 P.M. -H.R. 491Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 491 — “To modify the boundaries of Cibola National Forest in the State of New Mexico, to transfer certain Bureau of Land Management land for inclusion in the national forest, and for other purposes.”4:53:07 P.M. -H.R. 2947Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:53:04 P.M. -H.R. 2947On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.4:49:55 P.M. -H.R. 2947DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2947.4:49:53 P.M. -H.R. 2947Considered under suspension of the rules.4:49:30 P.M. -H.R. 2947Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2947 — “To provide for the release of the reversionary interest held by the United States in certain land conveyed by the United States in 1950 for the establishment of an airport in Cook County, Minnesota.”4:49:13 P.M. -H.R. 2050At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bishop (UT) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:44:22 P.M. -H.R. 2050DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2050.4:44:20 P.M. -H.R. 2050Considered under suspension of the rules.4:44:00 P.M. -H.R. 2050Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2050 — “To authorize the continued use of certain water diversions located on National Forest System land in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in the State of Idaho, and for other purposes.”4:43:41 P.M. -H.R. 2157At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:38:34 P.M. -H.R. 2157DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2157.4:38:30 P.M. -H.R. 2157Considered under suspension of the rules.4:38:00 P.M. -H.R. 2157Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2157 — “To facilitate a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest, and for other purposes.”4:37:50 P.M. -H.R. 1038At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:31:27 P.M. -H.R. 1038DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1038.4:31:25 P.M. -H.R. 1038Considered under suspension of the rules.4:31:03 P.M. -H.R. 1038Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1038 — “To authorize the conveyance of two small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest containing private improvements that were developed based upon the reliance of the landowners in an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960.”4:30:26 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:30:20 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 24.2:14:25 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  4:30 P.M. today.2:13:43 P.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on April 24, 2012 at 12:45 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 4348 with an amendment; insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House and appointed conferees.2:03:20 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:54 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sablan to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:46 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:01:39 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas2:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 24.12:10:58 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  2:00 P.M. today.12:00:57 P.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.12:00:30 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable John Abney Culberson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:18 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate resumes S.1813,the Surface Transportation Act-several votes on Tuesday


 

the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET March 12, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation Act. As previously announced, there will be no roll call votes on Monday. Senators should expect several votes beginning Tuesday morning in order to complete action on the Transportation bill.

Today Senator Reid filed cloture on the following 17 Judicial nominations. Under the rule, the first vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, March 14.

Cal.#408, Gina Marie Groh, of West Virginia;

Cal.#441, David Nuffer, of Utah;

Cal.#461, Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of California;

Cal.#462, Ronnie Abrams, of New York;

Cal.#463, Rudolph Contreras, of Virginia;

Cal.#464, Miranda Du, of Nevada;

Cal.#497, Susie Morgan, of Louisiana;

Cal.#509, Gregg Jeffrey Costa, of Texas;

Cal.#510, David Campos Guaderrama, of Texas;

Cal.#528, Brian C. Wimes, of Missouri;

Cal.#568, Kristine Gerhard Baker, of Arkansas;

Cal.#569, John Z. Lee, of Illinois;

Cal.#570, George Levi Russell, III, of Maryland;

Cal.#571, John J. Tharp, Jr., of Illinois;

Cal.#610, Jeffrey J. Helmick, of Ohio;

Cal.#612, Mary Geiger Lewis, of South Carolina; and

Cal.#613, Timothy S. Hillman, of Massachusetts

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Judiciary committee from further consideration of and adopted S.Res.310, A resolution designating 2012 as the “Year of the Girl” and Congratulating Girl Scouts of the USA on its 100th anniversary.

Adopted S.Res.394, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification and the beginning of warm and abiding relations between the people of the United States and Italy.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.3606, Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (Republican request)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2186, to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities. (DeMint)

 

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

There will be no roll call votes on Monday, March 12, 2012.

There will be no roll call votes on Monday, March 19. 2012

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The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2012.

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Congress: the Republican led House did 3minutes of work for We the People – the Senate &S.1813,the Surface Transportation Act – Tell Republicans to DO WHAT IS RIGHT


the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET March 9, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation Act. As previously announced, there will be no roll call votes on Monday. Senators should expect several votes beginning Tuesday morning in order to complete action on the Transportation bill.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Vitter amendment #1535 (OCS) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 44-54

2) Baucus amendment #1825 (Rural Schools) (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 82-16

3) Collins amendment #1660 (Boiler MACT) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 52-46

4) Coburn amendment #1738 (OMB/Duplicative Programs) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 52-46

5) Nelson(FL) amendment #1822 (RESTORE) (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 76-22

6) Wyden amendment #1817 (Keystone Pipeline) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 33-65

7) Hoeven amendment #1537 (Keystone Pipeline) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 56-42

8) Boxer motion to waive Corker Budget Act points of order; Waived: 66-31

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.393, Designating March 11, 2012, as “World Plumbing Day”.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2173, National Right-to-Work Act. (DeMint)

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The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on March 9, 2012.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 9, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2012.11:03:01 A.M. -The House received a communication from John L. Mica, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Mr. Mica notified the House that on March 8, 2012, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider resolutions to authorize 11 lease prospectuses included in the General Services Administration‘s FY2011 and FY2012 Capital Investment and Leasing Programs and one resolution to request an information report pursuant to section 3315(a) of Title 40. The Committee adopted the resolutions on March 8, 2012.11:02:29 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:02:25 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.11:01:24 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.11:01:03 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Adrian Smith to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:44 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House back on 3/5 – the Senate resumes S.1813,Surface Transportation bill


the Senate Convened at 10:00amET March 2, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill.
  • There will be no roll call votes on Friday.  As previously announced, there will be no roll call votes on Monday, March 5, 2012.  The next roll call vote is expected Tuesday morning.

The Senate began the Rule 14 process on H.R.1837, an act  to address certain water-related concerns on the San Joaquin River, and for other purposes.

WRAP UP

No LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 5, 2012.