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For Immediate Release
07/15/08
Contact: |
Rob Blumenthal w/Inouye 202-224-8374
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Senate Passes Bill to Ensure Americans with Disabilities Have Access to Interstate Bus Service
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate last night passed by unanimous consent H.R. 3985, the Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007, which clarifies the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s authority to enforce compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements for over-the-road passenger buses.
H.R. 3985 directs the Secretary of Transportation to condition registration of an over-the-road bus operator upon that operator’s willingness and ability to comply with certain passenger accessibility requirements.
“I am pleased that the Senate has passed this legislation to ensure that all Americans have access to interstate bus service,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii). “Given today’s high gas prices, more and more consumers are using mass transportation for business and to visit friends and family, and it is essential that no American be denied bus service due to a disability. This legislation will help to achieve that goal.”
The House passed the bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), James Oberstar (D-Minn.), and John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), by a vote of 374 to 0 on December 12, 2007.
Specifically, H.R. 3985 would:
· Direct the Secretary of Transportation to register a person providing transportation by an over-the-road bus as a motor carrier of passengers only if the person is willing and able to comply with certain accessibility requirements;
· Require over-the-road bus operators to purchase or lease accessible vehicles or provide accessible service to passengers with disabilities with 48 hour advance notice, depending on fleet size and types of service operated by the carrier; and
· Require the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice to enter into a memorandum of understanding to enforce compliance of over-the-road bus carriers with the accessibility requirements.
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7th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds the Senate's Confirmation of Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement today regarding the confirmation of:
Mr. Christopher P. Bertram, to be Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation
Ms. Patricia D. Cahill, to be a...
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7th - |
Chairman Rockefeller on "Cash for Clunkers"
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement today regarding the Senate’s passage (60-37) of H.R. 3435, a bill making supplemental appropriations for FY2010 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program (“Cash for Clunkers”).
“I a...
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6th - |
Hearing Summary: Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
Witness List:
Mr. Alfred J. Longhi, Jr., former Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Lithium Power Technologies
Mr. Thomas J. Howard, Acting Inspector General, National Aeronautic...
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6th - |
Hearing Summary - Aviation Safety: The Relationship Between Network and Regional Airlines
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on Aviation Safety: The Relationship Between Network Airlines and Regional Airlines.
Witness List:
Mr. Philip H. Trenary, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Airlines Corp.
Mr. Peter Bowler, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Eagle Airlines...
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5th - |
Executive Session: Committee Legislation Summary
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Executive Session and favorably reported out the following legislation and nominees:
S. 1078, the AmericaView Geospatial Imagery Mapping Program Act
S. 30, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009
S. 251, the Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009
S. 952, Harmful Algal Blooms and Hyp...
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5th - |
Hearing Summary: Nominations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations.
Witness List:
Mr. Dennis F. Hightower, to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce
Mr. Robert S. Adler, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Ms. Anne M. Northup, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product...
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Audio Clip | Video Clip
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