Friends of the Earth tells Streetsblog San Francisco that Senator Barbara Boxer's staff has confirmed that Boxer and Senator Inhofe will present an amendment to the federal Stimulus Plan for $50 billion in additional funding for highways, bringing the total to $80 billion, exactly the figure Inhofe demanded last week in a letter to the Committee for Environment and Public Works.
The amendment is expected within the hour, according to Kate McMahon of Friends of the Earth. Inhofe press director Marc Morano didn't deny the number, but said "a lot is going on today and I'll confirm with you shortly."
Both Friends of the Earth and Environmental Defense Fund are sending action alerts to their activists, the first suggesting calls to Boxer, the second urging constituents to contact their own Senators to demand a No vote on the amendment.
Stay tuned for more information.
EDF Action alert here.
Friends of the Earth Action Alert:
The U.S. Senate is working on its economic stimulus package today. Already,the bill includes $27 billion that can be used to build unnecessary new roads,despite the fact that such spending will create fewer jobs than investments inclean transportation projects. New roads will also lead to more global warmingpollution and oil consumption.
Last week we had a victory in the Houseof Representatives when we increased funding for clean transportation by $3billion. Unfortunately, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is threatening to undo thatprogress.
Senator Boxer is planning to propose an amendment today thatwould add another $50 billion in new road funding to the stimulus. Such anamendment would undermine President Obama's goal of a "green" stimulus andrepresent a huge setback in the fight against global warming.
We needyour help to change Senator Boxer's mind. Please call her office NOW at202-224-3553 and ask her to NOT offer this amendment.
