Congress still deadlocked on transportaton funding, Postal Service reform

WASHINGTON -- Congress remains undecided on several key issues impacting Louisiana. A bill designed to help the U.S. Postal Service dodge a major financial shortfall, without the major cuts announced by it leaders, fell nine votes short Tuesday of the 60 needed to proceed with debate. And action on a transportation bill that would continue federal funding for major...

WASHINGTON -- Congress remains undecided on several key issues impacting Louisiana. A bill designed to help the U.S. Postal Service dodge a major financial shortfall, without the major cuts announced by it leaders, fell nine votes short Tuesday of the 60 needed to proceed with debate.

Eliot Kamenitz, The Times-PicayuneCongress remains deadlocked on legislation that could provide savings that would allow the U.S. Postal Service distribution center in New Orleans to remain open.

And action on a transportation bill that would continue federal funding for major highway and transportation programs in Louisiana and the other 49 states, remains illusive.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved a $109 billion transportation bill that included a provision designating 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines for the 2010 BP spill, BP fine money. But House GOP leaders have been unable to garner sufficient votes for its alternative proposal and its leaders are now proposing a 60-day extension of current transportation funding.

Without any action, authorization for federal transit funding will end this weekend, and could lead to the stoppage of some highway projects and construction layoffs. Later today, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, are holding a news conference to urge the House to pass the Senate bill, which passed with both Democratic and Republican votes.

The failure of the Senate to approve a motion to begin debate on the Postal reform bill doesn't necessarily mean the proposal is dead. It seems that many GOP senators didn't want to move away from the current debate on a Democratic proposal to end oil and gas tax subsidies, which they believe ultimately, will prove unpopular with voters despite continued high industry profits.

"I don't think this vote accurately reflects senators' feeling on the legislation, though," said Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Delaware. "In fact, it's clear that the bill enjoys support from senators on both ides of the aisle who recognize that we must act quickly if we hope to save this American Institution."

Without congressional action, it appears almost certain the Postal Service will ahead with plans shutter 223 processing centers, including the New Orleans facility that employs 880 workers.

The Senate bill would allow the Postal Service to recoup $11 billion that it says it overpaid one of its pension funds. It also permits the service to offer early retirement to reduce its workforce, study but not implement a proposal to eliminate Saturday deliveries and authorizes the service to offer a broader range of services to increase revenue.

The Senate now plans to take up the postal overhaul package after a two-week Easter recess.

But even if it passes, the Democratic-led Senate and GOP-dominated House will have to agree on a bill. The House GOP has so far shown a preference for measures that would allow the Postal Service to proceed with plans for large-scale layoffs.

On today's Senate agenda, continued debate over the Democratic proposal to end oil and gas tax subsidies and incentives, as well as a vote on the long-delayed nomination by President Barack Obama of New Orleans attorney Susie Morgan to a judgeship on the U.S. District Court in New Orleans.