Vice President Joseph Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this week announced the Administration’s intent to request a significant increase in funding for its high speed rail initiative.

As we reported last week, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica announced several cities throughout the country he plans to visit and hold field hearings and a public forum on the pending surface transportation reauthorization bill. 

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing on how current and proposed rules and regulations are burdening job creation. AGC recently sent a letter in response to Committee Chairman Darrell Issa’s (R-Calif.) request for specific issues AGC believes could stifle job creation.

Not satisfied with the amount of reporting required of contractors receiving work from “direct” federal and federal-aid work, Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board Chairman Earl Devaney stated that it is time to expand current reporting requirements to capture stimulus project recipient awards at every level and has asked the Administration to implement that recommendation.

AGC released a statement Thursday in response to the Obama Administration’s new “Better Buildings Initiative,” intended to encourage private sector energy upgrades.

Today the House Budget Committee Chairman announced spending caps that will govern the continuing resolution to be considered in the House in mid-February.

The Senate failed to repeal the health care law by a vote of 47 to 51, which fell along party lines with all Republicans supporting it.

In 2010, President Obama nominated Mr. Craig Becker to become a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  Due to strong opposition to the nomination, including by AGC of America, the Senate failed to confirm the nomination. 

The Senate has taken up the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill as its first major piece of legislation for the 112th Congress. FAA authorization expired on September 30, 2007 and the program has been operating under a series of 17 short term extensions ever since.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-Fla.) announced the locations for a series of national field hearings and public forums, the first step in drafting multi-year surface transportation reauthorization legislation.