Senate Transportation Bill Derails

In today's highly charged congressional environment, made even more so by the looming presidential election, it should surprise no one to learn that the Senate's transportation bill, commonly referred to as MAP 21, has succumbed to the same partisan fighting that has stalled similar efforts in the House. As recently as last week, however, the prospects in the Senate looked much better.

So, with Boxer declaring yesterday that, "Right now, there is no path forward," what changed? According to Laing, "in a speech on the floor that Wednesday, Boxer said that the bill has been held up by 'ridiculously unrelated amendments.'" According to Boxer, "It's one of those things where people just say 'I don't care. We're not going to (approve) this bill."

Despite recent setbacks, Boxer declared emphatically, "that she would not allow the transportation bill to be permanently stopped during the amendment process," writes Laing.