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The bill, HR 3074, passed by the House in July, ties current deficiencies and future growth in transportation and housing with energy efficiency. “transportation, housing, and energy can no longer be viewed as completely separate spheres with little or no coordination throughout the different levels of government.” the House committee noted.

"The effort is to be made to plan affordable housing projects closer to public transportation thereby lowering the need for private vehicles and reducing energy demand in general. The bill creates an inter-agency working group to address approaches to interconnecting transportation and housing." The House bill would spend $50.7 billion. $3.2 billion over last year, $2.8 billion over the President’s request.

The Senate amended the bill with an eye on surface transportation. A 60 to 33 vote approved extended authority for the Secretary of Transportation to increase spending by $1 billion for bridges, but two amendments focusing funds on bridge and highway repair failed. The Senate voted 82 to 14 to table an amendment that would prohibit funds for Member-requested projects until "all structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges have been repaired" and in an 80 to 18 vote tabled an amendment prohibiting funds for municipality-requested bike paths thereby freeing the money to improve bridge and road safety.

An amendment to suspend Davis-Bacon Act requirements on federally funded construction projects was defeated by a vote of 56 to 37. Davis-Bacon requires that workers are paid the prevailing wage in the region where the project is underway. Supporters of the amendment hold that the requirement raises the cost of the project.

Born of NAFTA and a recent Department of Transportation decision to go forward with a demonstration program allowing Mexican commercial trucks to transport goods beyond southern border commercial zones, an amendment to prohibit that program prevailed 75 to 23 over another amendment (29 to 69) that would have funded the program with the requirement that Mexican trucks meet the same safety standards as US trucks. The debate centered on safety concerns raised by government reports that the Transportation Department was beginning the program despite missing data from the Mexican Government verifying truck safety and records of drivers' driving violations.

Rail Safety would get attention from an amendment requiring an evaluation of some transit systems infrastructure. The Inspector general is given expanded authority to investigate rail service commodity delivery disruptions and delays.

Airline pilots may continue in multi-crew flights until age 65 under an amendment, but a pilot sixty years or older on an international flight must be accompanied by a copilot under the age of sixty.

A $25 million increase in funds to help low-income Americans with first-home down payments was agreed to along with additional funds to expand a program that facilitates involvement in housing programs for those with limited English. Another amendment was accepted that would establish mitigation activities and alternatives to mortgage foreclosure...and to reasonably ensure the long-term affordability of any mortgage assisted under a Federal program.

{HR 3074 as passed by the House with amendments and votes}

{Senate amendments to HR 3074 with votes}

Resolution Memorializes September 11, 2001; Amendment Defending General Petraeus Ruled Non-Germane; President Continues National Emergency

The plane hijackings and deaths on September 11th are seen as a day to remember and a day to unite.

HRES 643

A Senate amendment to HR 3074, the Transportation-HUD appropriation bill, defending Coalition Commander General Petraeus was ruled not germane to the bill and was not considered by the Senate. The amendment, SA 2820, was offered by Senator Cornyn (R-TX) in response to an ad by a political organization Moveon.org asking:

"General Petraeus? or General Betray Us?"

The amendment notes the General's 81 to 0 Senate confirmation, lists his educational and military accomplishments and condemns the ad as personal and unwarranted.

The President continues his 2001 Proclamation declaring a national emergency and invoking increased presidential authorities under the National Emergencies Act.

EXEC

The House convened to do business on Monday, adjourned and will meet pro forma on Friday. The Senate conducted legislative business through Wednesday, will meet pro forma on Friday and will, along with the House, resume again Monday, September 17th.

The Senate will return to consideration of HR 1585, the Defense Authorization Bill, a Senate bill regarding voting privileges of delegates from the District of Columbia and an education bill for residents of D.C.