U.S. Senate
Streetsblog Basics
What Will ‘Mayor Pete’ Mean for the U.S. DOT?
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has been tapped to be Secretary of Transportation. Whatever you think, remember that this guy is one of the few politicians who acknowledges the "many ways we subsidize driving." So there's that.
December 15, 2020
Senate ‘Skinny’ COVID Bill Leaves Mass Transit Starving
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators revealed a coronavirus compromise bill on Tuesday morning that provides less than half of what transit agencies need, an offer that advocates and transit agencies greeted with like being given a lump of coal on Christmas.
December 1, 2020
Report: Transit Riders — Especially People of Color and the Poor — Will Be Especially Screwed by Federal Cuts
People of color, the poor, and New York's hardest-working residents would be disproportionately affected by transit cuts if the MTA doesn't get a cash infusion fast, a new report reveals.
September 29, 2020
New COVID Relief Bill Gives Zero Dollars to Sustainable Transportation
Senate Republicans have released a new COVID-19 relief bill that allocates billions of dollars to air travel, but leaves zero dollars for the public transit systems that experts say are getting essential employees to work — and keeping our entire economy afloat.
July 28, 2020
MTA Leads Multiple Agencies in Demanding $25B from Congress
The leaders of 10 transit systems — from coast to coast — are begging Washington for "at least" $25 billion in emergency funding as they battle the twin symptoms of the coronavirus: freefalling ridership and additional costs.
March 23, 2020
Federal Bill Seeks to Prioritize Pedestrians (Albeit A Tiny Bit More)
A new federal bill would mandate that 5 percent of all federal highway funds be diverted to "Complete Streets" to hopefully stem the blood tide of pedestrian deaths in this country.
July 11, 2019
Senators Want to Sneak Safety Exemptions for Self-Driving Cars Into Law
A group of senators led by South Dakota Republican John Thune wants to let companies rush self-driving cars to market before any federal safety standards related to autonomous systems have been drafted.
July 17, 2018
Congress Can’t Let Self-Driving Car Makers Treat People as Guinea Pigs, Say Public Safety Watchdogs
A bill in Congress to allow large numbers of self-driving cars on American streets needs substantial revisions to protect people inside and outside of autonomous vehicles.
May 7, 2018
Congress Poised to Let Autonomous Car Companies Run Wild in Cities
Both houses of Congress are crafting regulations that will set the stage for autonomous vehicles, and they're not off to good start.
October 5, 2017
Congress and Auto Industry Move to Ban Cities From Regulating Self-Driving Cars
Automakers and tech companies are pushing a bill through Congress that would handcuff local governments' ability to regulate self-driving vehicles on city streets. Now city transportation officials are demanding a role in drafting legislation before it's too late.
August 2, 2017
