Senate Commerce and Science and Transportation Committee

Biden administration

Biden Administration Rules Out Gas Tax Hike

Shortly after Transportation secretary-nominee Pete Buttigieg told a Senate committee that all options were on the table to pay for federal transportation investment, a spokesperson ruled out a gas tax hike.

February 1, 2021 - Roll Call

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao

Elaine Chao Confirmed as U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary

Elaine Chao, who served eight years as labor secretary under President George W. Bush, was confirmed on Jan. 31 as the Secretary of Transportation, on a 93-6 vote.

February 1, 2017 - USA Today

Meet the New Federal Leadership on Transportation

New leadership on transportation issues steps to center stage as the result of Republicans taking control of both houses of Congress for the first time since 2006.

January 6, 2015 - The Hill

Key Senate Republican Opens Door to Gas Tax Increase

Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), current ranking member and incoming chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation surprised the media when he announced on a Sunday morning talk show that a gas tax increase is possible.

January 5, 2015 - National Monitor

Amtrak's Operating Loss Decreases as Ridership Increases

Buoyed by increased revenue on its busiest lines on the Northeast Corridor plus new state contributions for some short-distance routes required by PRIIA, Amtrak's operating loss dropped 37 percent from last year while revenue grew by 8 percent.

November 26, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

Mixed Reviews on New Passenger Rail Reauthorization Act

Six years ago Congress passed the first Passenger Rail Reauthorization Act, known as PRIIA. Reauthorization was introduced on September 11, in a bill (known as PRRIA) praised by some but also criticized for decreasing Amtrak funding by 40 percent.

September 28, 2014 - RT&S (Railway Track & Structures)

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.