Vote-O-rama picks up speed as Senate clears amendments by voice vote

The Senate on Tuesday afternoon passed the following amendments to the pending transportation bill by unanimous consent:

A Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) amendment designed to close a loophole that allows some public infrastructure projects to be outsourced.

“Transportation projects financed by the American taxpayer should, to the best extent possible, be financed by American worker built with American materials,” Brown said prior to the vote.  

A Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) amendment to designate 15 percent of highway funds for bridges for control by local communities rather than the state.

“It doesn’t increase the amount of money,” Blunt said. “It continues current policy, and I think every county commissioner would be relieved [if this passed].”

A Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) amendment to exempt interstate travel regulations for farmers who are traveling within 150 miles of their farms. 

Merkley explained that under current regulations some farmers who live within a few miles of a state border are required to follow strict interstate commercial travel regulations to transport their goods. 

“This is a simple common-sense amendment,” he said prior to the vote. 

A Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) amendment to amend the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 to provide clarification regarding the applicability of exemptions relating to the transportation of agricultural commodities and farm supplies, and for other purposes.

In addition, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) agreed to drop her amendment to increase the amount available for the operating cost of equipment and facilities for public transportation systems that operate fewer than 50 buses. A manager’s amendment offered by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) was also cleared by unanimous consent.