senate News Updates

Government

Infrastructure Grants, Weight Waivers Approved in Senate Fiscal 2018 Transportation Bill

A U.S. Department of Transportation grants program popular with members of Congress would receive $550 million in fiscal 2018 under legislation Senate appropriators easily approved on July 27.

July 27, 2017
Government

Senate to Consider Transportation Nominees to Fill Senior Positions Before Memorial Day

The Senate is likely to vote on President Donald Trump’s picks for senior posts at the U.S. Department of Transportation this spring, the chamber’s Republican leaders indicated this month.

April 24, 2017
Government

Sen. Chuck Schumer: Senate Vote on Chao Could Be Soon

Senate Democrats envision agreeing with Republican leaders to proceed relatively soon with a floor vote that would confirm Elaine Chao, President-elect Donald Trump’s designee to manage the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Democrats’ leader told reporters Jan. 19.

January 19, 2017
Government

Senate Trucking Panel Names Top Staffer

The top trucking policymaker in the Senate, John Thune (R-S.D.), announced his pick to lead the panel as staff director in 2016.

December 21, 2015
Government, Business

Senate Panel Drops Proposal to Increase Heavy-Truck Tax

Leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, in an effort to gain more Republican support, tweaked a highway spending bill on June 26 by removing a provision that would have imposed higher fees on heavy trucks.

June 30, 2014
Government

Boxer Calls for April Highway Bill Markup; Doubts Increase in Fuel Taxes

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee will begin markup of a multiyear highway-funding plan in April, and the legislation probably will not include increases in fuel tax rates, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), EPW’s chairman, told a group of state transportation officials.

February 26, 2014
Government

N.J. Sen. Lautenberg Dies at 89

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a longtime leading transportation policymaker during his three decades in the Senate, died Monday morning of complications from pneumonia, news reports said. He was 89.

June 3, 2013
Government

Lautenberg Won’t Seek Re-Election in 2014

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a longtime advocate of transportation safety and infrastructure, will not seek reelection in 2014, he announced Thursday.

February 14, 2013
Government

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Rockefeller to Retire in 2014

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the powerful Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, announced Friday that he will not seek reelection in 2014 after serving five terms in the U.S. Senate.

January 11, 2013