Infrastructure Jobs

In June, Senate Democrats led the successful fight to pass a bipartisan, long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill that will save or create nearly 3 million jobs by making urgently needed repairs to our nation's roads, rails and bridges. The transportation bill put an end to the uncertainty caused by nearly three years of temporary extensions by reauthorizing projects for 27 months, continuing current levels of funding and consolidating overlapping programs. The bill was signed into law by President Obama on July 6^th, 2012.

Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization

Senate Democrats are focused on creating jobs, keeping America's infrastructure globally competitive and fighting partisan gridlock. After 23 short-term authorizations, Senate Democrats passed a four-year reauthorization for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in February 2012. The new law will create or protect 280,000 thousand jobs, while safeguarding American airline workers, and improving service and safety for travelers. In addition, the reauthorization gives the FAA the tools and certainty it needs to build an air-traffic control system that meets the challenges of travel in the 21^st century.  

Agriculture Jobs

In June, Senate Democrats spearheaded the passage of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, also known as the Farm Bill, to invest in successful jobs initiatives while saving tens of billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse. The legislation, which was supported by a bipartisan majority of 64 Senators, would have replaced the previous Farm Bill, which expired on September 30^th, 2012. The bill would have provided necessary support to American agriculture and the 16 million jobs it supports by increasing export opportunities for American farmers and helping farmers sell locally by boosting support for farmer's markets. It will also make it easier for beginning farmers to access capital and get off the ground, and support innovation in bio-based manufacturing and bio-energy production. Despite calls from prominent agriculture groups and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, House Republicans refuse to consider any Farm Bill, leaving the agricultural industry mired in needless uncertainty. 

Modernizing the U.S. Postal System

In April, Senate Democrats spearheaded a bipartisan effort to modernize the United States Postal Service (USPS) and give it the flexibility it needs to maintain critical functions while adapting to changes in the way people use the mail system. Despite the urgent financial difficulties facing the USPS, the 21^st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, which passed the Senate with a bipartisan majority of 62 Senators, was not considered by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The United States Postal Service sustains over 8 million jobs and is the country's second largest civilian employer.