South Carolina Motorcycle Rights Association

Congress came back this week amidst a flurry of highway bill talk. The House introduced a bipartisan bill to attempt to solve the highway bill problems. Representative Jim Renacci (R-OH) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) have introduced a bill aimed at tackling the Highway Trust Fund crisis once and for all. The Renacci-Pascrell bill would index the gas tax to inflation and then form a sort of Highway Trust Fund supercommittee to find a long-term funding solution. It is a bold stab at a big problem. Even the bill's sponsors are not that optimistic about the bill's prospects. Renacci, a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, was asked if he had the support of his fellow committee members, his answer was, "They know about it."

Something needs to be done, but it's nearly impossible before this round of funding expires, which is just about 40 days away. My prediction is that we will have another short term extension of no more than a year, and hopefully with that, this drawn out legislative and funding punting will be over.

Hopefully you saw the release announcing HR 1861 entrance back into the world. Congressman James Sensenbrenner has reintroduced the legislation once again. The language is exactly the same as years past. That’s not the only similarity; the bill number should also sound familiar, because it’s the same as last congress. The bright minds that are Team Sensenbrenner reserved the bill number in the early days of Congress to, as they put it to the motorcycle community, "make your lives easier." We thank Mr. Sensenbrenner and his staff. Get on the phone and start collecting co-sponsors. Write about it for your state and local papers and websites. Should you need anything from me, just ask.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA) was in the hot seat this week. Shuster is negotiating a major Federal Aviation Administration overhaul, which has been very complicated and controversial with a lot of strong opinions, and millions upon millions of dollars spent lobbying the members of the committee. This is the definition of Washington D.C. high stakes poker. It was a little alarming when Shuster was found to be dating a high power aviation lobbyist who represents every major airline. Her firm alone has spent millions on this issue. Shuster issued a statement saying that his office has a strict policy that his girlfriend cannot lobby him or his staff. She is still free to lobby the other 58 members of his committee though. Like father like son, you see, Shuster is the second Shuster to chair the committee. It’s sort of the family business. Bill's father, Bud, chaired the committee prior to his son. And even more father like son, Bud had a questionable relationship with one of his staffers-turned-lobbyist. Her area of lobbying? Transportation. You cannot make this stuff up!

Bikers Inside The Beltway is under a month away. Are you ready? 5.14.15 WDC.