Portal:Infrastructure and Transportation Policy (U.S.)/In the news


 * House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) announced on Aug. 8 his intention to introduce nationwide bridge repair legislation once Congress reconvenes in September.


 * President George W. Bush authorized funds on Aug. 6 to repair a collapsed bridge in Minneapolis following its tragic collapse earlier that month.


 * The Department of Transportation responded to accusations by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) on Jun. 13, denying that it violated anti-lobbying restrictions regarding state emission standards.


 * House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) accused the Department of Transportation on Jun. 12 of improperly lobbying Congress regarding requests to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by California and other states to set their own emission standards higher than federal law mandates.


 * The House passed the Safe American Roads Act of 2007 on May 15 in a vote of 411-3. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.) and would restrict the number of trucks originating in Mexico coming into the U.S..


 * The Safe American Roads Act of 2007 was introduced to the House on Mar. 29 by sponsor, Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.). The bill would the number of trucks originating in Mexico coming into the U.S..


 * The House passed the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), on Mar. 27 in a vote of 299-124. The bill would improve security of railroads, public transportation, and over-the-road buses.


 * The House passed a bill on Mar. 26 to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), would modify spending allotments for a variety of transportation projects.


 * Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) introduced the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 to the house on Mar. 8. The legislation would create a national strategy for rail and public transportation security.


 * Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) introduced the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007, which would restructure Amtrak's debt as well as provide funding for security improvements, on Jan. 16.