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

BREAKING: Federal Judge Rules Trump Can’t Kill Congestion Pricing

Trump does not have the power to toss out the Biden administration's decision to authorize the tolls, Judge Lewis Liman ruled.

March 3, 2026

Today in Placard Abuse: The ‘Lieutenant’s Girlfriend’ Who Parks Illegally

Meet a driver who gets the gold medal for placard corruption.

March 3, 2026

Sunbelt Cities Rank Last in National Street Safety Index

Cars and drivers continue to dominate the newest and sunniest cities in the United States.

March 3, 2026

Today’s Headlines: Super Bowl Tuesday Edition

We've been talking about it for weeks, but today is the Big Game. Plus other news.

March 3, 2026

DOT Re-Ups With Speed Camera Operator But Temp Tags Are Still Unticketable

The city has lost tens of millions in unpaid fines because the company that runs our speed- and red-light cameras can't catch cars with temp tags. But that company just inked a new $1-billion five-year deal.

March 2, 2026

Americans Demand Congress Fund Active Transportation In Next Infrastructure Bill — And Not Just The Bike/Walk Advocates

A "back to basics" surface transportation bill — as Republicans are seeking — would be devastating for road safety and small businesses.

March 2, 2026
See all posts