this is NOT intended to be political, only an alert on the attempt to eliminate funding for various motorcycle safety programsPatriot
MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations
jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation issues urgent call to action.
Washington DC July 23rd 2007 9:31 PM
The United States House of Representatives is scheduled to consider the FY2008 Transportation, House and Urban Development Appropriations bill (HR 3074) Tuesday July 24th 2007. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has learned of a last minute attempt to eliminate the funding of the 2010 motorcycle safety grant program created in the last highway bill (PL 109-59).
Representative Jeb Henserling (R-TX) is the author of the amendment as well as many many more all directed to eliminate funding for various safety programs and other programs deemed by Heserling as unnecessary and a waste of money. Henserling who is head of the ultra conservative House caucus known as the Republican Study Committee routinely attempts to eradicate funding for good programs. The RSC aims to keep the budget balanced, fight off new taxes and advance the uber conservative Republican agenda.
"A balanced budget and low taxes are both good things but Henserling severely missed the mark when he chose to use the elimination of funding for motorcycle safety awareness programs as the vehicle to bring down the national debt" said Jeff Hennie Vice President of Government Relations for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. He added, "with motorcycle rider-ship and fatalities both at all time highs; it's completely irresponsible for Mr. Henserling to want to remove this much needed and wildly popular safety grant program."
Not to mention the House Appropriations Committee has already had several rounds of hearings and markups on this bill and then agreed to keep all of the programs fully funded and to increase funding for some the very same programs Henserling wants to cut.
In accordance with House rules, Henserling does not have to pre-print or pre-file any of his amendments. He can simply go to the floor with his amendment in hand and drop it on the desk of the clerk. Because of this no amendment number is available as of press time.
In order to stop this amendment from passing the US House the MRF is asking you to contact your Federal Representative as early on Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 as you can. This bill could be considered as early as noon EST on July 24, 2007. Ask your Representative to vote no on the Henserling amendment to remove funding ($6 million) for motorcyclist safety to the FY2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.
If you know who your Federal Representative is you can reach the US Capitol switch board at 202 224 3121. You can identify your Federal Representative at this website:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/ It is important to make a phone call this time, email will not be quick enough to get the word out. Call early and call often.
The MRF will keep you informed on this issue as it develops.
Jeff Hennie
