Congress passed the new federal transportation law– Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act–last week, and the president signed it on Friday.
The good news? Despite many attacks on active transportation funding throughout the process, dedicated funding remains for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as education and safety goals. For the first time, states will be required to report back on the progress they’re making toward reducing active transportation fatalities, and highway builders for all US DOT roads must consider all users when planning a roadway. These are tremendous steps forward for the federal bill.
There are still concerns with the FAST Act– TxDOT will still be allowed to transfer some dedicated bike/ped money to other uses, and for the first time, large MPOs will be allowed to do the same. US DOT will write guidance for states and communities on how to best implement the new laws, and then it will be up to TxDOT and Texas MPOs to write their own policies within the new law. We’ll be there every step of the way to remind them that Texans want great places to bike and walk.
Now is a great time to remind our members of Congress that people who bike are also people who vote! How did your representative vote on the FAST Act? See below for the list of who in the Texas delegation voted yes or no on this bill. If your representative voted yes, send a quick email to say thanks! If he or she voted no, it’s still a good time to reach out and share your concerns. See suggested talking points below for thanks or concern. Not sure who your representatives are? Check out Who Represents Me? to find your U.S. representative, plus links to both Texas senators.
Thank you for staying in contact with your representatives during this process. You make a difference!
Photo: Texas delegation at the 2015 National Bike Summit with Senator Cornyn.
We’ve found the following format to be useful when contacting elected officials:
To say THANK YOU:
1. My name is _________ and my occupation is __________. I live and ride my bike in District ___.
2. Thank you for voting for H.R. 22. This law allows for dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as education and safety programs that benefit people who walk and ride bikes. I appreciate that you supported this bill.
3. [Tell the representative why this is important to you– do your kids ride? Do you rely on a bike for transportation? Do you ride for your health? Keep it to 1-2 sentences.]
4. Thank you again for supporting people who walk and ride bikes in Texas.
To share your concerns:
1. My name is _________ and my occupation is __________. I live and ride my bike in District ___.
2. I’m sorry to hear that you did not support H.R. 22. This law allows for dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as education and safety programs that benefit people who walk and ride bikes. Since I ride a bike in your district, I would have hoped for your support.
3. [Tell the representative why this is important to you– do your kids ride? Do you rely on a bike for transportation? Do you ride for your health? Keep it to 1-2 sentences.]
4. Thank you for your time.
How did the Texas Delegation vote?
Senate: John Cornyn Yes; Ted Cruz No
See the full list of yea and nay votes on senate.gov.
House (in district order):
District 1, Louie Gohmert: No
District 2, Ted Poe: Yes
District 3, Sam Johnson: Did not vote
District 4, John Ratcliffe: No
District 5, Jeb Hensarling: No
District 6, Joe Barton: Yes
District 7, John Culberson: No
District 8, Kevin Brady: Yes
District 9, Al Green: Yes
District 10, Michael McCaul: Yes
District 11, Michael Conaway: Yes
District 12, Kay Granger: Yes
District 13, Mac Thornberry: Yes
District 14, Randy Weber: No
District 15, Rubén Hinojosa: Yes
District 16, Beto O’Rourke: Yes
District 17, Bill Flores: No
District 18, Sheila Jackson Lee: Yes
District 19, Randy Neugebauer: No
District 20, Joaquin Castro: Yes
District 21, Lamar Smith: No
District 22, Pete Olson: Yes
District 23, Will Hurd: Yes
District 24, Kenny Marchant: No
District 25, Roger Williams: Did not vote
District 26, Michael Burgess: No
District 27, Blake Farenthold: Yes
District 28, Henry Cuellar: Did not vote
District 29, Gene Green: Yes
District 30, Eddie Johnson: Yes
District 31, John Carter: Yes
District 32, Pete Sessions: Yes
District 33, Marc Veasey: Yes
District 34, Filemoon Vela: Yes
District 35, Lloyd Doggett: Yes
District 36, Brian Babin: Yes
