Attacked from the left and right sides of the ideological spectrum since its release two weeks ago, Speaker John Boehner is struggling to find the 218 votes needed to pass the House transportation bill, write Russell Berman and Keith Laing.
In spite of widespread public support for improving the nation's transportation infrastructure, the $260 billion transportation bill, which landed with a thud nearly two weeks ago, is facing stiff headwinds in the House.
For far different reasons, of course, key factions of both parties are unlikely to support the GOP drafted bill. Democrats and centrist Republicans, such as Rep. Peter King (N.Y.), take issue with funding cuts for public transportation, bike paths and pedestrians, according to the authors. Conservative GOP members, such as the Tea Party caucus, "claim the bill is an unaffordable boondoggle."
Defeat of the bill in the House would be a major blow to the Republican leadership, including Speaker Boehner, who have "made the legislation a priority and the election-year centerpiece of the House GOP's jobs agenda."
The House process stands in stark contrast to the bipartisan transportation bill moving swiftly through the Senate.
A final vote on the House bill is slated for Friday.
FULL STORY: House Republicans facing big test as $260 billion highway bill heads for cliff

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service