Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) proposed amendment to the transportation spending bill to remove a requirement that a percentage of federal highway funding be used by states for beautification and historic preservation projects was tabled in the Senate Wednesday afternoon.

McCain, as well as Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), argued prior to the 59-39 vote that local jurisdictions ought to be able to prioritize highway funds rather than be forced to adhere to federal mandates. 

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Robert Mariani to fill an emergency U.S. district court vacancy in the Middle District of Pennsylvania by a vote of 82-17.

By unanimous consent the chamber also confirmed Robert Scola to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida and Mark Raymond Hornak to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The senator has thrown down the gauntlet over flood-relief funds FEMA and Treasury have tried to collect.

"It's very clear that private-sector jobs have been doing just fine," the majority leader said on the Senate floor.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) zinged President Obama on Tuesday, saying that if Republicans wanted to sabotage the economy for political gain, as Democrats have accused, they would simply support his economic policies.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday derided President Obama’s job-themed bus tour.

The widely scorned law requires all governments to withhold a portion of most payments to Medicare recipients and contractors. 

The Senate meets at 9:30 a.m., and after morning business moves to debate whether states should be required to spend a certain percentage of federal highway funding on beautification projects.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has offered an amendment to the transportation spending bill that would eliminate this requirement, and is expected to be opposed by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and other Democrats. The Senate will vote on McCain's language at about noon.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday night set up a Wednesday debate and vote over a Republican amendment that would eliminate a requirement that a percentage of federal highway funding has to be used by states for beautification, historic preservation or other activities not directly related to improving transportation infrastructure.

The proposal, from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), would amend the so-called “minibus” appropriations bill that the Senate is hoping to approve this week.