Clinton Backs $1.7B Mass-Transit Funding Measure in Senate

A Federal bill that would grant $1.7 billion in funding for the nation's mass transit-systems took a step forward Aug. 1 when U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton introduced the measure in the upper house of Congress.

HILLARY CLINTON: 'Would help meet growing demand.'

Local transit unions and environmental groups had been pushing New York's Senators to introduce the bill in the U.S. Senate, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by James Oberstar of Minnesota.

Unions, MTA Back Measure

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has spoken in favor of the bill, saying that Federal funding would help shrink its deficit. Labor unions such as Transport Workers Union Local 100 and the Amalgamated Transit Union have lobbied for the bill.

"As gas prices continue to rise, we need to ensure that Americans have access to public transit as an alternative," Senator Clinton said in a statement. "Mass transit can save households thousands of dollars a year, but increased ridership takes a toll on our public transportation infrastructure. My legislation will help mass transit agencies meet their growing demands without sacrificing service. New York has the nation's largest public transportation system and this legislation will help it remain the nation's best as well."