Capitol Agenda for the Week of Nov. 29: Bump in the Road
The week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill
Critics of Congress who argue there’s too much inaction and gridlock on Capitol Hill are getting ammunition for their argument. After wrapping up their victory laps, Congressional Republican leaders are preparing to do the bare minimum in this lame duck, saving the heavy lifting for another time. Hope that a fiscal 2017 omnibus funding bill with a few policy riders attached to it would land on the president’s desk by a Dec. 9 funding deadline is dying quickly.
House and Senate leaders said they intend to conclude the legislative year with a short-term funding extension that leaves unresolved key trucking objectives, as well as the long-term budgetary certainty for the federal government.
The trucking industry’s priorities for the lame duck, which included advancing an update to an hours-of-service rule for truckers and a pre-emption of a meal and rest break rule, likely will be taken up the next time Congress sets up a vote on an omnibus. That vote is likely to occur in the spring, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said.
American Trucking Associations indicated a short delay of the omnibus would “only increase the likelihood that these two ATA priority issues are passed.” Meanwhile, senior Democrats on the House transportation policy committee urged GOP funding leaders to ensure a short-term funding bill reflects last year’s congressionally approved increases in infrastructure investments. Their concern is that Republicans will look to advance a short-term measure that would stick to fiscal 2016 appropriated levels for infrastructure projects, instead of fiscal 2017 levels. “These increases include $1.85 billion for highways, $432 million for public transit and $85 million for highway safety. Moreover, the increased public transit investment includes $199 million from the Highway Trust Fund for grants to help public transit agencies and commuter railroads install positive train control (PTC) systems, which will significantly improve transportation safety,” the Democrats wrote Nov. 28.
Pete Marovich/Bloomberg NewsRyan and Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are punting on legislative duties, as well as sharing their views on President-elect Donald Trump’s infrastructure plans.
During the campaign, Trump indicated he would invest $1 trillion over 10 years in infrastructure by giving $137 billion in tax credits to companies seeking to build projects able to generate a profit. However, Trump’s transition website noted his administration would be investing $550 billion, not $1 trillion, in infrastructure. Trump, himself, exacerbated the uncertainty over his plans by telling The New York Times when asked about job-creation measures: “I think I am doing things that are more important than infrastructure, but infrastructure is still a part of it, and we’re talking about a very large-scale infrastructure bill.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), not a fan of Trump, referred to Trump’s goal of investing $1 trillion in infrastructure as a scam.
THE WEEK AHEAD (all times ET)
Nov. 29, 9 a.m.: House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) headlines The Washington Post’s discussion on the GOP agenda on Capitol Hill for President-elect Trump's first year.
Nov. 30: House Democrats hold their leadership elections.
Nov. 30, 12:30 p.m.: The National Press Club hosts Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager Paul Wiedefeld. House Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets holds a hearing on the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region’s transit system.
Dec. 2, 9 a.m.: The House Transportation and Public Assets Subcommittee holds a hearing on the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region’s transit system.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
NEXT DOT CHIEF: As he transitions into power, Trump has tapped infrastructure privatization proponents and Washington lobbyists to help him pick the next U.S. transportation secretary.
YOU GUYS, I’M STILL HERE: While President-elect Donald Trump continues to defend his proposal to invest $1 trillion in infrastructure, Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) is reminding his colleagues that he, too, has a plan for upgrading the country’s crumbling infrastructure.
(READ IN ROBOT VOICE) AUTOMATE: The U.S. Department of Transportation will launch an Automation Proving Ground pilot program, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx announced Nov. 23. DOT will designate facilities as qualified proving grounds for the safe testing, demonstration and deployment of automated vehicle technology.
WHAT WE’RE READING:
In CityLab, Laura Bliss takes a plunge to dissect what Trump means when he talks about infrastructure. Her must-read explainer of Trump’s views on infrastructure can leave the reader pondering what exactly the next administration will look to do with the country’s structurally deficient transportation system. “Trump has said some traditionally infrastructure-y words when he talks about this,” she wrote.
FAVORITE VIDEO
Jersey’s Bayonne Bridge gets a makeover. The structure is scheduled to be closed through Dec. 2. Construction crews are finalizing the "Raise the Roadway" renovation project.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“If you look at the policies, I believe the Democratic Party still has the policies to help move us forward, the blend of public-private partnerships, the infrastructure, the investments in education and research. Those are things that we stand for and believe in and will continue to fight for.”
— Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), on Meet The Press, on Nov. 27. Ryan, who is gunning for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s job, said coastal demographics have dominated the party’s identity in the House.
FAVORITE TWEET
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) celebrated the “all politics is local” concept over the Thanksgiving holiday, boasting of his meal at Tea Steak House, in Tea, South Dakota. Their 28-ounce T-bone will run you $22.99.
Enjoyed the Thanksgiving special at the Tea Steakhouse over lunch today. pic.twitter.com/7ocu8qhFBF — Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) November 21, 2016
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