Aug. 17, 2020 – Though the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved its bill, S. 2302 (116), nearly a year ago, the other three committees with partial jurisdiction – Banking, Finance and Commerce – have yet to even produce a draft, according to media sources. In the Senate, the buck stops with Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and he is apparently…
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Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Passed by Senate
The U.S. Senate approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to an analysis by the Associated Equipment Distributors, highlights of the legislation are:
Read MoreInside Info on Chao
Dec. 21, 2016 – According to Politico, if the Senate confirms her as transportation secretary, Elaine Chao will focus on ensuring that the DOT effectively enforces safety regulations, streamlining the processes for infrastructure projects and fairly treating both rural and urban areas of the country. Chao outlined the issues she wants to tackle as the head of the DOT for a…
Read MoreNew Senate Leadership Looks Favorable to Aggregates Industry
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee – which has jurisdiction over infrastructure spending and environmental regulations – will have a new chairman and ranking democrat in the new Congress. The committee will be led by the new Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and ranking Democrat Tom Carper (D-Del.)
Read MoreHouse, Senate Pass Five-Year Highway Bill
In a major victory for the aggregates industry, both chambers of Congress have voted to approve The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation, or FAST Act. The $305 billion, five-year bill passed the House by a vote of 359 to 65 and the Senate by a vote of 83 to 16. President Obama has signaled that he will sign the bill. The…
Read MoreWill Senate Finally Tackle Highway Bill?
On Tuesday, July 8, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that the Senate could consider a highway bill as early as the week of July 15, and reiterated that the Senate would not recommend increasing the fuel user fee to fund the bill, according to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA).
Read MoreHouse, Senate Combat WOTUS Rule
By a 261-155 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that would stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) from greatly expanding their regulatory powers under the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Read MoreTrust Fund Patch Coming
July 25, 2014 – The Senate is poised to vote on legislation to ensure federal highway funds continue to flow to the states before Congress adjourns for the five-week August recess. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill July 15 that transfers $10.8 billion from the general fund into the Highway Trust Fund and extends current highway and transit…
Read MoreNew York Fracking Moratorium Considered
A moratorium on high-volume, horizontal, hydraulic fracturing was passed in the New York State Assembly and delivered to the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, passed the Assembly by a vote of 89 to 34. If passed in the Senate, the bill, A.5424-b, would ban the drilling practice for three years from the day it is signed, according…
Read MoreGetting into a ‘Boxer’ Match
February 19, 2014 – A new federal transportation funding mechanism is beginning to move forward. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, speaking at a hearing on the Economic Importance of Maintaining Federal Investments in Our Transportation Infrastructure, said, “It is critical for our nation to continue investing in our aging infrastructure. Therefore, preserving the…
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