Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/86182
Election ("AED Legislative Scorecard – Senate Votes" continued from page 37) travel, and national defense, which are all compelling national interests. Following aggressive lobbying by the construction industry, the amendment failed 30-67. Senate Vote 112-2-36, March 13, 2012. 8. "State Opt-Out" Amendment Similar to Sen. DeMint's effort, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) offered an amendment to MAP-21 to reduce the federal role in surface transportation. Portman's proposal would have permitted states the option to have all of their federal gas tax payments returned as a block grant for maintaining highway and transit funding, effectively allowing them to opt-out of the federal program. The Portman amendment is based on the same flawed logic as other infrastructure devolution initiatives. AED believes that without a strong federal role in transportation, there is no guar- antee that states would prioritize transportation investments that support national interests over more localized needs. The amendment did not gain enough support to be attached to MAP-21 and was voted down 30-68. Senate Vote 112-2-43, March 13, 2012. How the U.S. Senate Voted on Select Issues Key Numbers before/after names signify district. Symbols Y: Voted Yes (No position by organization) N: Voted No (No position by organization) + Voted With Us – Voted Against Us P Voted Present NV Did Not Vote I Not in Office Vote numbers (across the top): 1. Repeal the Job-Killing Healthcare Law Act Amendment 2. The Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection & Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act (H.R. 4) 3. Surface & Air Transportation Programs Extension (H.R. 2887) 4. Three Percent Withholding Tax Repeal (H.R. 674) 5. FAA Air Transportation Modernization & Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 658) 6. Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Amendment 7. Highway Program "Devolution" Amendment 8. "State Opt-Out" Amendment 9. MAP-21 (S. 1813) 10. MAP-21 Conference Report Final Passage AED Vote Position Alabama Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Richard Shelby (R-AL) Alaska Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Arizona Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) John McCain (R-AZ) Arkansas Senators John Boozman (R-AR) Mark Pryor (D-AR) California Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Barbara Boxer (D-CA) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score + + + + + + - - + + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score + + + NV + + - + + + 88% + + + + + + + + + + 100% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score - + + + + + + + + + 90% + + + + + + + + + + 100% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score + + + + + + - + + + NV + + - - - - + - - - + + 70% 55% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score + + + + + + - 80% - + + + + + + + + + 90% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score - + + + + - + + + + - + + + + - + + + + 80% 80% Colorado Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) Mark Udall (D-CO) Connecticut Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Delaware Senators Thomas Carper (D-DE) Chris Coons (D-DE) Florida Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) Bill Nelson (D-FL) Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) Johnny Isakson (R-GA) Hawaii Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Daniel Akaka (D-HI) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score - + + + + - + + + NV - + + + + - + + + NV 77% 77% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score NV + + + + - + + + + - + + + - - + + + + 88% 70% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score - + + + + - + + + + - + + + + - + + + + 80% 80% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score + + NV + + + - - - - - + + + + - + + + + - + + - + + 55% 80% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score + + + + + + - + + + + + + - 80% 80% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score - - - + NV + - + + + NV - + + - - + + + + 62% 60% 9. MAP-21 (S. 1813) Led by Environment & Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the Senate made highway reauthorization a prior- ity. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) (S. 1813) authorized investment for surface transportation programs for two years at current levels (plus an adjustment for inflation). The bill also streamlined the project delivery process and made it more difficult to divert road money to projects with little transportation value. Boxer and Inhofe's determination and persistence resulted in Senate passage of S. 1813 on March 14, 74-22, as 22 Republicans joined a united Democratic caucus in support of the bill. The Senate's swift action effectively forced the House to act and eventually agree to a conference committee. Senate Vote 112-2-48, March 14, 2012 10. MAP-21 Conference Report Final Passage See page 32, under House Vote 8. 38 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | October 2012