Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Earl Blumenauer

Blumenauer: Don’t Let American Streets Remain Unsafe Routes to School

Yesterday the House debated the GOP leadership's oil drilling-with-a-side-of-highways bill, which may or may not survive the House floor.

false

A lot of folks are upset about this proposal, which would eliminate dedicated federal funding for transit, biking, and walking, open up some of the country's environmental treasures to oil drilling and delay infrastructure insolvency for all of two years.

Leave it to Oregon's Earl Blumenauer to really let 'em have it. The Hill reports that Blumenauer delivered an impassioned speech accompanied by this sign that really hits home.

Some highlights below:

This is a wildly popular program, costing a fraction of a percent of the transportation budget, and it's had a huge impact nationally on our children because it deals with real consequences for them.

Doesn't it make sense to do something about the congestion, the injury, the death and the obesity?

So why are my Republican friends advancing a transportation bill attacking Safe Routes to School, stripping it out, making it an unsafe route to school? Well, it's a fitting metaphor for perhaps the worst transportation bill in history.

Well said, sir.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Brooklyn Residents: Keep Historic Wood Bridge For Pedestrians And Cyclists Only!

As the Department of Transportation is set to reopen the Carroll Street Bridge, locals want it to only reopen to pedestrians and cyclists.

March 17, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: We Love A Parade (For Pedestrians) Edition

Organizers of today's St. Patrick's Parade are telling everyone to leave their cars at home. Plus other news.

March 17, 2026

Mamdani Uses ‘Sammy’s Law’ To Reduce Speed Limits To 15 MPH At Schools, But Broader Implementation Is Stalled

By the end of this year, 800 more streets in front of public school buildings will get 15-mile-per-hour speed limits, bringing the citywide total to 1,300. It's a start.

Amazon Owes Nearly $10M Unpaid Fines for Idling in New York City

The online retail giant owes more than any other other company issued fines through the city's Citizens Air Complaint Program.

March 16, 2026

Mamdani Administration Wants To Allow A Brooklyn Hospital To Issue Parking Tickets

Could parking tickets be written by someone other than NYPD traffic agents and cops? Time will tell if this is a good idea or not.

March 16, 2026

Bus Companies Say There’s a Better Way to Take a ‘Great American Road Trip’ This Summer

As Americans start planning their summer vacations, the country’s largest inter-city bus operator is challenging them to leave their cars at home.

March 16, 2026
See all posts