Category Archives: Legislative Outlook

House Appropriations Committee Approves 2011 Transportation Spending Bill

House appropriators recently approved a $124.6 billion bill to fund transportation and housing programs in 2011. The bill if passed will provide funding for Amtrak, railroad safety programs, high speed passenger rail and money for public transportation systems across the country. Some key highlights include: Amtrak: $1.77 billion to make capital investments including improvements to

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Senate Panel Approves Bill to Improve U.S. Transit Systems Safety

The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee approved a draft measure that would require the Transportation Department to create and implement a plan to improve the safety of transit systems that receive federal funding. Stronger safety measures have been more frequently discussed after recent transportation disasters, such as the 2009 Washington Metro train crash

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Senate Confirmation of Key Administration Appointments

The Senate has confirmed a number of Administration appointments recently.  The TTD released a statement about each confirmation. Jeffrey Moreland, Anthony Coscia and Albert DiClemente have been confirmed as Amtrak Board members for the remainder of the term expiring July 26, 2011. Two nominees were confirmed to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).  Mark Rosekind,

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Transportation Coalition Send Letter to Senate in Support of the Transportation Preservation Act

The Transportation for America Coalition, which includes TCU/IAM, sent a letter to Senate majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asking him to lend his leadership and pass the Transportation Preservation Act. This infusion of $2 billion in transit operating funding will preserve service for the millions of Americans who rely on transit every day, as well

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President Scardelletti to Senate Energy Bill Sponsors: “Don’t Hurt Rail Jobs!”

TCU President Bob Scardelletti has weighed in on pending Senate energy legislation, cosponsored by Sens. John Kerry and Joe Lieberman. In a letter to the two Senate sponsors of the American Power Act, President Scardelletti criticized the bill’s aggressive timetable for shutting down coal plants. “This aggressive policy will have severe negative consequences for the

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