XXXX Missed A Vote to Block Highway Bill. In 2012, XXXX missed a vote on a motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., amendment no. 1633 that would add safety, revenue and public transit titles to a bill that would authorize federal highway programs for two years. The motion was rejected by a vote of 54-42. [S.1813, Vote #20, 2/17/12] XXXX Voted to Block Highway Bill. In 2012, XXXX voted against a motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment no. 1761 that would authorize federal highway, highway safety and public transit programs for $109 billion over two years. The amendment would consolidate existing functions of the Interstate Maintenance, National Highway System and Highway Bridge programs into a new National Highway Performance Program. The motion was rejected by a vote of 52-44. [S. 1813, Vote #25, 3/6/12; The Hill, 3/5/12]  HEADLINE – Senate Republicans Block Advancement of Transportation Bill. [Los Angeles Times, 3/6/12]  HEADLINE – Senate Highway Bill Fails Test Vote: Deal Could Come Later Tuesday. [Washington Post, 3/6/12] XXXX Voted to Permit Emergency Exemptions From Compliance With Highway Construction Regulations. In 2012, XXXX voted for a motion to waive all applicable budget laws with respect to the Boxer, D-Calif., point of order against the Paul amendment no. 1556 that would exempt reconstruction of roads, highways or bridges for safety reasons from relevant environmental regulations. The motion was rejected by a vote of 42-54. [S.1813, Vote #47, 3/14/12; The Hill, 3/9/12]  Senate Highway Bill Mandated Safety Standards for Transit Systems, Including Subway Systems. As reported by the Washington Post, “It also mandates for the first time that federal safety standards be set for transit systems, regulation that has been pressed for by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) since the 2009 Metrorail crash in which nine people died.” [Washington Post, 3/14/12] XXXX Voted Against Allowing States to Permit Non-Highway Uses in Rest Areas Along Highways. In 2012, XXXX voted against an amendment that would eliminate restrictions in current law that generally prohibit states from building commercialized rest areas along federally-funded interstate highways. It would effectively let states open restaurants, gas stations or other commercial businesses at interstate rest areas, thus allowing states to get revenue from concessions. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 12-86. [S.1813, Vote #45, 3/13/12; The Hill, 3/9/12] XXXX Voted to Allow States to Spend Gas Taxes on Their Own Transportation Priorities. In 2012, XXXX voted for an amendment that would allow states to opt out of receiving apportioned or allocated funding and instead receive the amount they paid in taxes to the Highway Trust Fund, reduced by a pro-rated amount withheld by the Transportation secretary to fund certain programs. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 30-68. [S.1813, Vote #43, 3/13/12; The Hill, 3/9/12] XXXX Voted to Lower Discretionary Spending Cap by $20 Billion to Offset Highway Trust Fund General Transfers. In 2012, XXXX voted for motion to waive all applicable budget laws with respect to the Inouye, D- Hawaii, point of order against the Corker amendment no. 1785. The amendment would reduce the nondefense discretionary spending cap set in the 2011 budget law to offset the cost of mandatory spending in the surface transportation bill. The motion was rejected by a vote of 40-58. [S.1813, Vote #44, 3/13/12; The Hill, 3/9/12] XXXX Voted to Require That Amount of Highway Funds Received by State Based on Total Gas Taxes Paid by State. In 2012, XXXX voted for an amendment that would modify the apportionment formula so that states would receive funds based on the percentage of gas taxes paid. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 28-70. [S.1813, Vote #42, 3/13/12; The Hill, 3/9/12] 297