Action Alert UPDATE: Renewed Attack On Federal Bike Funding

Written by Lauren LeClaire
July 30, 2013

UPDATED Wed., July 31st:

According to The League of American Bicyclists, which has been monitoring the recent federal action, "House leadership has pulled the Transportation Appropriations bill from the floor. Debate and voting have been postponed until September." The leadership most likely felt that they did not have enough votes on the bill to move forward. In actuality this is both a delay tactic and a victory (on our end). We are happy to see that federal bike funds remain intact. We will know more about the situation in the House in September.

As far as the Senate goes, tomorrow there will be a vote on the Senate Transportation Appropriations bill. We have gotten word from Senator Warren's office that if an anti-bike amendment is voted on, she will be voting NO. This is great news! Both of our Senators (Sen. Warren and Sen. Markey) have gotten the message loud and clear and plan on voting NO on any anti-bike amendments. Your responses have been incredibly helpful in attaining this positive outcome. We would not be nearly as successful in our advocacy work without your support.

We will continue to update you on the status of the Senate throughout Thursday's debate and voting period.

Original Post:

Federal funding for bicycling and walking continues to be at risk! Now, the House and the Senate are both poised to debate amendments that could completely eliminate Transportation Alternatives funding.

Last week we sent out an Action Alert asking you to contact our two U.S. Senators (Sen. Markey and Sen. Warren) to oppose Amendment 1742 by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.

We just got word that Sen. Mike Lee of Utah has introduced Amendment 1798 to the Transportation Appropriations bill. Like Paul's amendment, this one would strip the Transportation Alternatives Program of all funds, thereby eliminating all federal funds for programs like Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. This is money that can be used to educate kids about bicycle and pedestrian safety, improve sidewalks, bike lanes, and paths near schools, and build and maintain off-road paths and trails for everyone.

We need you to do 3 things right now:

1. Contact Senator Markey and Senator Warren again to save Transportation Alternatives by voting NO on amendments 1742 and 1798.

NOTE: In order to contact Senator Markey, you must call his office. A form email will not reach his office in time!

Contact Senator Warren:
Phone: (202) 224-4543
Email: http://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=email_senator

Contact Senator Markey:
Phone: (202) 224-2742
Email: Not available currently (due to transition from House to Senate)

2. Contact your Representative and ask him or her to vote NO on any amendment that could eliminate funding for Transportation Alternatives.

The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to debate the Transportation Appropriations Bill tonight and tomorrow. At this point in time, we are not certain if or when there will be an attack on federal funds for bicycling and walking. Any Representative can introduce an amendment at any point, and we know some Representatives are opposed to funding for biking and walking.

We will likely have little or no notice before an amendment is brought to the floor for debate. We need you to act preemptively and contact your Representative now, asking him or her to vote NO on any amendment that could strip funding for bicycling and walking.

Don’t know who your U.S. Representative is? Click here and enter your zip code to find out.

3. Let us know who you contacted by cc'ing or emailing [email protected].

We will keep you updated as the situation develops. Thank you so much for your help protecting funding for biking and walking!