Word: oberstar
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...issue exploded last May when a letter was sent by the House Transportation Committee's James Oberstar of Minnesota and Peter DeFazio of Oregon to all 50 Governors, expressing concern that a flood of local deals might put "parochial and private interests" ahead of an "integrated national transportation network"--and threatening to undo any deals found not to be in the public's interest. That's pointedly at odds with the Department of Transportation (dot), which, following the lead of the Bush Administration, has been a huge supporter of privatization and helped pave the way by letting some companies issue...
...earmark explosion - a 1,200% increase since the 1991 bill - was a symptom of this mindless goodie-bagging. And Young, who is now the subject of a federal corruption investigation, was by no means the only offender. Democratic Congressman James Oberstar of Minnesota - his successor as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - bragged about bagging 57 "high-priority projects" for his district in the bill, including a visitor center at Mesabi Station, a bridge for snowmobiles in Onamia and a new $3 million highway between County Road 565 in Hoyt Lakes and the intersection of Highways...
...looks even bleaker in the House for Rep. Thompson. His version of the bill likely won't even make it into committee. Rep. James Oberstar, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would rather let the DOT regulate tarmac strandings than have Congress step in, says Jim Berard, the committee's spokesman...
...many Democrats who oppose abortion are leaving the Party. Others who remain loyal are sandbagged. Since Roe v. Wade, Democrats such as Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) have been discouraged from seeking higher office unless they change their position on the life issue. Rep. Oberstar courageously stuck to his beliefs and years ago lost the support of the party for a U.S. Senate bid. Fortunately, he has continued to serve his constituents and been a strong leader opposing abortion in the House. Had he won the Senate bid, he would have been at least as effective...
...industry has resisted adopting the policy widely, saying it would worsen delays. But proponents point to the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988: it was placed by a ramp worker in Malta and on two connecting flights was never matched to a passenger. Congressman Jim Oberstar called the bag-match loophole "the Achilles' heel in the security system." A rule scheduled to take effect in December would require screening of all bags. But fewer than 10% of the FAA-approved machines needed are available...