Bike/Ped Amendment Loses by a Hair (A Thank You To Those Who Pulled And Voted For It)

In this morning's markup of the Transportation bill, the amendment to restore the Safe Routes to School and Transportation Enhancements program proposed by Reps Petri (R-WI), Johnson (R-Ill) and Lipinski (D-Ill) lost by two votes (27-29) after a heated debate and trashing by Chairman John Mica.

Two Republican Congressmen who sit on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee surprised us by their votes. Congressman LoBiondo (NJ-02) voted in favor, something we were not expecting, and Congressman Meehan (PA-07) voted against. Mr. LoBiondo was the only Republican to vote in favor of the amendment who wasn't a co-sponsor.

We pulled out all the stops by encouraging constituents, small businesses, and local officials to call and write to Congressmen Meehan and LoBiondo. We're gratified that Mr. LoBiondo listened to his constituents, but supremely disappointed that Mr. Meehan did not.