Senate News Updates

Key transportation priorities have remained sidelined with lawmakers deadlocked in a funding standoff over the Department of Homeland Security.

The Fertilizer Transparency Act would “offer market participants of all sizes comparable levels of market information on fertilizer components.”

Sens. Steve Daines (R‑Mont.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D‑Nev.) said Congress’ upcoming work on a multiyear highway policy measure presents a chance to advance permitting reforms.

Sponsored by Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), the Securing American Freight, Enforcement and Reliability in Transport Act responds to escalating criminal activity across the freight sector.

Funding for several other agencies, including Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Treasury and Education, could become a casualty of the dispute as a Jan. 30 funding deadline nears.

“We have done hard things before. With this committee’s guidance, and in partnership with labor and industry, we can do them again," Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel told senators.

President Donald Trump’s choice for a spot on the National Transportation Safety Board is among the nominees expected to be considered this month by a Senate panel.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune urges lawmakers to focus on long-term funding, a move that could preclude another shutdown by dispelling a recent habit of extending short-term measures.

President Trump’s nominee to serve on the independent NTSB recently advanced through another step of the confirmation process, even as Democrats voice concern over his nomination.

Bills meant to expand access to truck parking as well as enhance the safety of the nation’s pipeline system await consideration in the transportation policy and funding panels.