[nabs-l] FW: Legislative Alert - Senate Votes Down Portman Amendment

[Hartle, Jesse]

Fellow Federationists:

Today the United States Senate allowed Senator Portman's Amendment 1742 to the surface transportation bill, S. 1813, to be considered on the floor.  Senator Portman's amendment sought to allow states to open commercial ventures on federal highways and interstates.  This policy would have dramatically impacted the livelihood of blind entrepreneurs in the Randolph-Sheppard program who operate vending facilities along the federal highways and interstates across our country.

I am pleased to tell you that, due to the advocacy of the National Federation of the Blind, Senator Portman's Amendment 1742 was voted down by a count of 86 to 12 by the United States Senate.  I appreciate the hard work that you put into protecting the interest of blind vendors.  I will continue to keep you posted on this issue, as this bill will soon be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Jesse

Jesse Hartle
Government Programs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
Phone:  (410) 659-9314, Ext. 2233
Email:  jhartle at nfb.org