XXXX Voted Against Removing Privatized Highways From Consideration for Federal Highway Funding. In 2012, XXXX voted against an amendment that would require the amount of federal highway funds that states receive under prescribed formulas to be reduced based on the portion of the National Highway System in a state that has leased tolled highways to private operators. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 50-47. [S.1813, Vote #37, 3/13/12; The Hill, 3/9/12] XXXX Voted to Eliminate the Current Federal Transportation Funding Program, Give Discretion to States. In 2012, XXXX voted for an amendment that would provide additional flexibility for state surface transportation projects and reauthorize certain core highway programs through fiscal 2018. It would specify that only projects funded by the federal government would be considered federal-aid highways. It also would reduce the federal tax rates for gasoline and other fuels that fund the Highway Trust Fund. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 30- 67. As reported by Roll Call, “Sen. Jim DeMint has offered several amendments to the Senate transportation bill, including one that would have scrapped the federal transportation funding program. That amendment was defeated 30-67.” [S.1813, Vote #36, 3/13/12; Roll Call, 3/13/12] XXXX Voted In Proceed to Final Vote on Highway Bill. 2012, XXXX voted against a motion to waive all applicable budget laws with respect to the Corker, R-Tenn., point of order against the bill that would authorize federal highway, highway safety and public transit programs at $109 billion over two years. The motion was agreed to by a vote of 66-31. [S.1813, Vote #35, 3/8/12] XXXX Voted Against Expressing Support for Expedited Reviews and Approval of Transportation Construction Projects After Disasters. In 2012, XXXX voted against an amendment that would express the sense of the Senate in support of expedited environmental reviews, approvals and licensing for transportation construction projects after disasters. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 76-20. [S.1813, Vote #46, 3/14/12; The Hill, 3/9/12] XXXX Voted For $1 Billion For Bridge Repair. In September 2007, XXXX voted for providing an additional $1 billion for bridge repair on US highways. The vote took place six weeks after the tragic collapse of a bridge on Interstate 35 West in Minneapolis, MN. The amendment would have paid for the funding by tapping the Highway Trust Fund. [Vote 329, 9/10/07; AP, 9/10/07] XXXX Supported $295 Billion in Highway Funding. In 2005, XXXX voted for final passage of a bill that authorized $295 billion for federal aid highway, mass transit, safety and research programs from fiscal 2004 to 2009. The bill included $234 billion for highway programs and $54 billion for public transportation programs. It would increase the rate of return to states on their Highway Trust Fund contributions to 92 percent by 2009. It also directed the Transportation secretary to notify state and local governments that received federal funds of a new law related to minority-owned businesses that compete for federal contracts such as federal highway projects. [Vote 125, 5/17/05]  White House Threatened to Veto the Highway Bill. In a statement of Administrative policy, the Bush Administration threatened to veto the Highway Bill if it authorized spending in an amount greater than what President Bush had originally requested. White House Spokesman Scott McClellan reiterated that threat during a press briefing. McClellan said that “We need to have legislation that meets our transportation needs but that also keeps us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009” and that if the bill carried too high a price tag, “senior advisers would recommend that [Bush] veto that legislation [National Journal, 4/27/2005; Connecticut Post, 5/18/2005] XXXX Voted For Cloture on $295 Billion Highway Bill. In 2005, XXXX voted for cloture on legislation that authorized $295 billion for federal-aid highway, mass transit, safety and research programs from fiscal 2004 through 2009. The funding total included $234 billion for highway programs and $54 billion for public transportation programs. “The seven senators who voted against cloture Thursday have been critics of highway funding that exceeds White House-backed levels.” [Vote 122, 5/12/05; CQ Today, 5/12/05] 298