The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a nearly $55.7 billion bill funding the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development for the next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. The Senate version of the bill to fund transportation and housing programs would provide Amtrak with nearly $1.4 billion next year, much more than the amount
Since June, 2015, David Arouca has served as a Legislative Assistant in TCU’s Legislative Department’s headquarters in Rockville, MD. Dave brings deep experience in legislative and political affairs to TCU, from both on and off the Hill. Dave began his career in DC in the Office of Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and the House Democratic
Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, issued a statement in advance of a House vote on a short-term extension of expiring highway and transit investment programs: “TTD urges a YES vote on H.R. 2353, a short-term extension of expiring highway/transit programs that will keep pressure on
Congress Must Focus on Completing Long-Term Bill Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, issued a statement regarding ongoing deliberations by lawmakers over passing legislation to extend expiring federal highway and transit programs: “Years of congressional inaction on a long-term surface transportation bill has harmed our economy.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail. The final rule, developed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), focuses on safety improvements that are designed to prevent accidents, mitigate consequences in the event of an accident, and
This week in a letter, International President Buffenbarger urged Congress to repeal the 40 percent excise tax on high-value employer-sponsored health care benefits and for members to support Rep. Courtney’s bill to repeal the excise tax and further urged members to become a co-sponsor on the bill. Rep. Joe Courtney a critic of the excise
The Highway Trust Fund, long an essential funding vehicle for both federal roads and mass transit systems, is under attack by some House Republicans seeking to strip protections from mass transit employees. The Highway Trust Fund is used to fund major transportation networks, including mass transit systems, and is facing a budget shortfall. Currently, 16%
PTC Video published by the American Association of Railroads (AAR). One of the most important enhancements to rail safety is the timely implementation of Congressionally mandated positive train control (PTC) systems that will prevent collisions and save lives. Although the current language in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Federal Railroad Administration
Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) of which TCU is a member, issued a statement about the Senate markup of the Positive Train Control (PTC) extension bill: “A five-year extension of the deadline by which Positive Train Control (PTC) technology must be implemented cannot be considered in a vacuum or in
The House recently passed Amtrak reauthorization legislation, The Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act H.R.749, authorizing nearly $8 billion in funding for Amtrak that would expire in 2019. The 316-101 vote badly divided Republicans, as all of the no votes came from firebrand conservatives. The Bill wouldn’t have passed except for the support of all
