MRF News - Senate Passes TEA

MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
P.O. Box 1808
Washington, DC 20013-1808
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen Bolin
karen.RemoveThis@mrf.org (e-mail)
253-833-7899 (voice - Pacific Standard Time)

February 12, 2004

#04NR07 - SENATE PASSES TEA, HOUSE POSTPONES

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned of several significant
developments regarding Transportation Equity Act (TEA) reauthorization
legislation.

Yesterday the Senate voted to table the Warner-Clinton amendment regarding
states enacting primary seatbelt laws. This reflects the lack of majority
Senate support at this time to initiate punitive measures to force states
into compliance with a federally mandated safety agenda.

The Senate passed a cloture motion this morning to limit debate and
amendments regarding TEA. This afternoon, the Senate passed their version
of TEA. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) testified earlier this week,
entering lengthy comments regarding motorcycle safety into the
Congressional Record. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair
James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) signaled his support, and Senator Ben Nighthorse
Campbell (R-Colorado) signed on to support the Murkowski Amendment for
Motorcyclist Safety.

Unfortunately, the Murkowski Amendment is not part of the TEA legislation
passed by the Senate today. However, there is also no language of concern
that would negatively impact the motorcyclists' rights movement. The MRF
would like to thank Senator Murkowski and ABATE of Alaska for their
continued tireless efforts in introducing and monitoring the progress of
our motorcycle safety initiatives. We would also like to thank Senators
Campbell and Inhofe for their support, as well as SMROs and motorcyclists
nationwide for all of their ongoing efforts regarding our TEA initiatives.

The House passed a four-month extension for the current TEA, which is
scheduled to expire at the end of the month. This extension is simply a
practical matter to prevent any interruption in road, transportation and
other projects while the House continues to review and debate the TEA
reauthorization. The MRF has strong assurances that the Murkowski
language will be included in the House version of TEA. When passed, the
House version will return to the Senate, and on to Committee conference
between the House and Senate.

At this time the House is scheduled to hold committee mark-up at the end
of the month, with floor action scheduled for the first part of March.
Congressional staffers who have worked closely with the MRF's TEA Agenda
have indicated the SMROs must be ready for a concentrated grassroots
lobbying effort at the end of February and into the first weeks of March.
This coincides with many SMRO visits to Washington, DC. The MRF will
continue to monitor this closely, work with our partners in the SMROs, and
facilitate the organization of this effort. These same staffers have
indicated the best course of action right now is to prepare for the work
needed when the House begins action.

The MRF will have lobbying packets ready for the SMROs coming to
Washington during this time. There will be briefings at the MRF
Washington, DC office, and MRF board members in DC to assist. "Talking
Point" bulletins will be posted on the MRF web site for all to use, along
with current information and "calls to action," when necessary.

Congress will be in recess the entire week of February 16, 2004. As
always, if any proposed schedule regarding action on TEA should change,
this information will be distributed immediately.