Senate Committee, McCain(?), will vote on National Bike Bill this week
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on July 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
The National Bike Bill is headed to a vote in the Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation this Thursday (7/31) and the League of American Bicyclists is asking its members to take action.
The bill (House Congressional Resolution 305) was introduced by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) back in February and passed a House vote in May.
The League of American Bicyclists is urging their members to contact their Senators on the Committee to urge them to support the resolution.
Members of the Committee (which has 12 Democrats and 11 Republicans) include the bike-riding former Presidential candidate John Kerry (D-MA) and current Republican presidential nominee John McCain (R-AZ)*.
Blumenauer crafted the resolution in order to “recognize the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation.” It would set no binding policy or laws, but it is considered to be an important step in the upcoming battle for funds that is sure to take place when the Transportation Bill is re-authorized next year.
Stay tuned for coverage of the vote. You can track the bill at GovTrack.us.
*Even though he’s on the Committee, as a commenter below has pointed out, Senator McCain is not likely to vote.
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July 29th, 2008 16:47
Take a look at the reasons for the bill (the "Whereas..." part), because it provides pretty great information for use in any discussion on why we should be setting policies at all levels of government to encourage bicycling:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hc110-305
July 29th, 2008 16:58
You assume McCain will be there. He hasn't voted since April 8.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/29/11201/1844
July 29th, 2008 18:20
McCain is having a town hall meeting in Racine, Wisconsin, on Thursday, July 31, 2008, so there is very little chance he will vote on the National Bike Bill.
July 29th, 2008 18:56
At first I thought a resolution that sets "no binding policy or laws" was the silliest thing and biggest waste of time ever.
But, having read the text, it IS pretty damn good, and the more communication of these ideas, the better.
July 29th, 2008 19:03
Glad to hear you say that Schrauf. I share the general disdain for the non-binding thing, and this Congress' record really is indefensible, but you can see the value in doing something like this because of the way it creates a comprehensive policy rationale. And really, if you're not going to get a good law through this Congress - and you're obviously not - why not take a shot at something like this?
Earl for Secretary of Transportation!
July 29th, 2008 20:36
The bill is a good read. Some very valid and quantifiable points are put forth that demonstrate the value of actively promoting bicycling in our society. Thanks for the link.
July 29th, 2008 21:01
McCain has effectively stopped even pretending to be a Senator, and oh, boy, "Tubes" Stevens is the ranking Republican on this committee, except that after today's seven-count indictment on improper reporting of gifts, he must resign all committee leadership posts.
Glad to see other Kossacks on this site!
July 29th, 2008 21:14
And here's the story on Ted Stevens. So he's out. What about the rest of them? Do you think "Diapers" Vitter rides a bike?
July 29th, 2008 21:14
And here's the story on Ted Stevens. So he's out. What about the rest of them? Do you think "Diapers" Vitter rides a bike?
July 29th, 2008 21:16
Sorry about the double post. That's not suposed to happen here.
July 29th, 2008 21:20
Damnit peejay, now it's a triple post! LOL. Seriously, how about that 7-count indictment! I hear federal prison is kinda like the internets, just a series of interconnected cells.
July 29th, 2008 21:33
Um, please forgive the double post, but I just had to - peejay, you're gonna love this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgF39TRCPPE&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/
July 29th, 2008 23:42
The only bit I didn't like was the section about parity between bike/ped funding and bike/ped fatality rates. I would suppose that it would work in the short term, but what happens when fatalities drop substantially as a result of great bike/ped facilities?
July 30th, 2008 10:23
It's also worth noting that Oregon senator Gordon Smith is a member of that committee. If you want to contact him to suggest which way you'd like to see him vote, you can use this link:
http://gsmith.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
July 30th, 2008 13:17
Some lists show Ron Wyden on it as well as Maria Cantwell from Washington:
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=About.Members
http://commerce.senate.gov/members.htm
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