Gauging a Transpo Bill’s Chances in the Senate

In response to the President's State of the Union Address in February, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R) criticized the stimulus, arguing that it was "larded with wasteful spending."He pointed to the $8 billion devoted to high-speed rail as aspecifically unnecessary expenditure. It became clear at that momentthat the road to an improved American transportation system would notbe a straight shot. How will the members of the Senate react when theyare forced to consider expanding the federal commitment totransportation? That's what this Transport Index is intended toanticipate.

The health reform debate of the last severalweeks has made evident the fact that Republicans in Congress will beable to rile up an intimidating opposition to legislation proposed bythe Democratic Party. Though Democrats have 60 seats in the Senate -- anumber that is large enough to vote down a potentially fatal filibuster-- the sudden arrival of thousands of right-wing demonstrators on sceneat town hall meetings has slowed down and problematized the passage ofany legislation.

Would Republicans stage a similar tempertantrum if the Congress embarked on a massive transportation program?It's unclear, but Mr. Jindal's reaction in February indicates that it'sa distinct possibility.