Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Transit

Stimulus Fight Heats Up in Senate and House

On Friday, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its version of an economic recovery package [PDF]. The major line items for transportation don't differ much from the draft now circulating in the House:

    • $27 billion for formula highway investments.
    • $8.4 billion for formula investments in public transportation.
    • $5.5 billion for competitive grants to state and local governments for surface transportation investments.
    • $1.3 billion for investments in our air transportation system.
    • $1.1 billion for investments in rail transportation.

The transit portion is down from $9 billion in the House version. And the lack of funding for transit operations again sticks out like a sore thumb.

What's most intriguing here is the $5.5 billion for "competitive grants." Would that money go to expand the Urban Partnership program, which is helping San Francisco to modernize on-street parking and nearly brought congestion pricing to New York City? We're asking around to pin down an answer.

Meanwhile, in the House, the campaign to bolster the share for transit is intensifying. In addition to efforts by Peter DeFazio to win back $2 billion for transit operations, New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler has introduced an amendment to bump up transit capital investments by $3 billion. It is absolutely critical to call legislators as soon as you can to voice support for both of these amendments. Louise Slaughter, chair of the House Rules Committee -- which is set to vote on the amendments tomorrow afternoon -- is target number one. House Appropriations Chair David Obey also wields considerable power over the adoption of these measures, and calling your own representative always helps.

The next few days will be crunch time for green transportation advocates, as details get hammered out in both chambers. Let's not forget, New York and other urbanized states have an uphill climb in the Senate, which gives disproportionate power to rural states. Transit supporters will have to speak loud and clear to get legislation that doesn't leave green transportation behind.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey

Spend the holiday weekend with Zohran Mamdani's answers to Streetsblog's mayoral candidate questionnaire.

July 4, 2025

Friday Video: Why NYC Needs ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhoods’

London's Church Street, like so many of our business corridors, was choking on cars — until the advent of the low-traffic neighborhood.

July 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: E-Bikes in Parks … Permanently Edition

The Parks Department will permanently allow e-bikes in city parks following a two-year pilot. Plus more news.

July 4, 2025

Anti-Miracle On 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work On 34th Street Busway

The highly-anticipated 34th Street busway may not happen under Mayor Adams after all, sources said.

July 3, 2025

Manhattan DA Says Alleged Central Park Hit-and-Run Cyclist Didn’t Flee, Drops Charges

Prosecutors said the 30-year-old cyclist "remained on the scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics to arrive to treat the injured person."

Sean Duffy’s ‘Great America Road Trip’ Wants You to Drive to Central Park

Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" encourages Americans to drive to sites in the most transit-rich and car-choked parts of the country.

July 3, 2025
See all posts