Font ResizeStates that do not ban texting by drivers could forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds under legislation introduced Wednesday in the Senate.
Under the measure, states would have two years to outlaw the sending of text and e-mail messages by motorists or lose 25 percent of their highway funds each year until the money was depleted.
A study released this week by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that truck drivers face a risk of crash or near crash that is 23 times greater when texting than when not doing so.
Texting while driving is banned in 14 states, including Utah, Alaska, California and New Jersey.
Regulation of the roadways generally happens at the state level. But in the past the federal government has exerted pressure on the states based of the threat of withholding federal highway funds, as Congress did in 1984 to pressure states to raise the minimum drinking age to 21 years.
The New York Times
Yucca » The Senate passed a $34.3 billion energy spending bill that backs up President Barack Obama's promise to close the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste facility in Nevada.
Detainee » The White House wants to hold onto a young Guantanamo Bay detainee three weeks longer while it decides whether to send him home or bring him to the U.S. for trial.
Jefferson
Military spending » The House of Representatives is poised to give the Pentagon at least $6.9 billion for dozens of new ships, planes, helicopters and armored vehicles that Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the military doesn't need, acting in many cases in support of defense contractors and political contributors.
Resort towns » A bill introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would prevent federal agencies from discriminating against Las Vegas and other resort towns when choosing destinations for business meetings. Reid, D-Nev., worries tourist locations are being bypassed by federal employees who think it will look bad for them to travel to a resort city using tax dollars.
Rogue bus operators » Hundreds of tractor-trailer and bus companies ordered to shut down because of federal safety violations ranging from suspended licenses to possible drug use have stayed on the road by using different names, a study by the Government Accountability Office says.
Depleted programs » The House took emergency steps to keep vital federal programs from going broke while Congress is absent next month, removing the threat that people would lose their unemployment checks or chances to get a low-interest housing loan while lawmakers are on vacation.
Sources » The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Gannett News Service
