[Nfbofnc] of S. 1813 today,

[Tim Jones]

-- Hello, Majority Leader Reid just came to the Senate floor and indicated
that Portman 1742 will be among the amendments given votes. Consideration
of S. 1813 will begin at 10:30 on Thursday March 8. The Portman amendment
will need 50 votes to pass. Here below is the update I just sent to NCSAB.
Thanks, Sean NCSAB Members: As we suspected it would, the Senate leadership
agreement on amendments includes a vote on Portman amendment 1742 to
commercialize federal highway rest areas. The Senate will begin
consideration of S. 1813 today, March 8, at 10:30am eastern. Majority
Leader Reid indicated that he intends to hold votes on as many amendments
as possible today, with an eye toward finishing the entire bill. If you
have already contacted your Senators, thank you so much for helping to have
the voice of Randolph-Sheppard heard. If you have not yet called your
Senators to inform them of the devastating impact of amendment 1742 on
small Randolph-Sheppard businesses and the blind entrepreneurs who own and
manage them, now is your final chance to do so. Please contact your
Senators, and urge vendors in your state to do the same. You can reach the
Capitol switchboard and be connected to your Senators’ offices by calling
(202) 225-3121. A final note, please do not contact Senators from states
other than your own. We have received several messages from slightly
irritated Senate offices that they are being inundated with calls from
people who are not constituents. Such contacts may, at this point, be
counterproductive rather than helpful. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to be in touch. As always, thank you for all your work to
protect Randolph-Sheppard and business opportunities for the blind. Take
care, Sean. Sean WhalenPolicy AssociateLinchpin Strategies, LLC
Tim Jones
North Carolina Food Service
Fort Bragg, NC
Office:  910-396-2297
Cell:  704-491-1486