The Impact of the Midterm Election: Analysis from America Bikes

The results of the 2010 Midterm Election mean big changes in Congress — changes that will have major implications for transportation policy and other important legislation. For insight on federal issues we turn to our partners at America Bikes. To help us all sort out the impact of Tuesday’s vote, Caron Whitaker has this analysis and call to action.

Caron writes: I’m sure you’ve seen the results of Tuesday’s elections – and you’re thinking about what this means. We are, too. And we don’t have all the answers yet.

As Andy Clarke wrote on the League’s blog, we lost a friend and a champion when Congressman Jim Oberstar lost his reelection bid in Minnesota. During his time in Congress, and particularly in his role as Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we knew we had someone who would fight for bicyclists.

Our fight for bicycling and walking in the Transportation Authorization Bill will be much harder without Oberstar — but not impossible. I think that those of us who feel defeated and depressed right now need to remember what this movement accomplished in SAFETEA LU under a Republican House, Senate and White House.  Safe Routes to School and the non-motorized pilot program were created, funding for Transportation Enhancements went up 35 percent, Recreational Trails funding went up 65 percent, and, during the life of SAFETEA LU, annual funding for bicycling and walking went from less than $400 million to more than $1 billion. While Congress and funding issues are a challenge, we know we have a strong ally in Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and incredible momentum building at the local level.

Yes, it’s going to be challenging. But I think we’re up for it.

Here’s what we know after Tuesday night.

House

• Currently the House stands at 240 Republicans, 184 Democrats and 11 undecided.

• Our major loss was the change in leadership at all levels. Oberstar was a bulldog for our issues when he was in the minority. We won’t have that this time.

• The new leadership includes Representatives John Boehner (R-OH) and Eric Cantor (R-VA), two of our biggest adversaries, and we need to be ready to defend Transportation Enhancements and biking and walking in general.

• Representative John Mica (R-FL) is poised to become the new chair of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mica has supported bike/ped infrastructure in his district, but that hasn’t translated into federal policy. Mica will also have pressure from leadership to fall in line, which could be challenging to us.

• A number of our friends did survive and we will need to work with them to protect our interests.

Senate

• Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) will remain the chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, but will have even more pressure to compromise with ranking member Senator James Inhofe (R-OK). We’ll need to keep pressure on her — both her California constituents, and through other EPW members who support our issues.

So what happens now?

First, I think that we’ll see a six- to eight-month extension in the lame duck session. However, the President has said that infrastructure is one of the issues the White House can work with Republicans on, so we need to be prepared for debate on the authorization bill this spring. Given this possibility, we need to get to know the new members of Congress, and introduce ourselves and our issues to them. To do that we are asking for your help in several ways:

• First, we’re interested in any information you have on the winners in your state and your district.  Did they have an elected position before in which they voted on transportation issues?  Have they made any significant statements on transportation or the environment? We’ll be doing some research as well, and, once we compile it all, we’ll share it with you, too.

• Please send a congratulatory note to your elected official and request a meeting. We want to make sure these new members of Congress are aware that there is a well-organized constituency for bicycling and walking in their district/state. They may not have formed their positions on transportation yet; now is a good time to introduce them to our issues.

• Help us with The Next Mile. Please record in our database the next five projects that will be built in your area. Being able to show new members what support for bicycling and walking will mean in their district will help us make the case here in DC — and will help you make the case at home!

• Finally, please consider sending Representative Oberstar a thank you for all his hard work and support for bicycling and walking through the years. He developed the Safe Routes to School Program, supported the Non-motorized Pilot Program, secured Transportation Enhancement funding in the Recovery Act — and has protected transportation enhancements and bicycling and walking for two decades.

Thanks for your continuing work on bicycling and walking, and your support of our work here at the national level. We’ve got a fight ahead of us, but we also have an opportunity to build new leaders and break new ground.

Caron Whitaker
America Bikes