Here’s an interesting item from Metro CEO Art Leahy’s daily email to staff:

House Republican leaders have issued a draft of the new rules they will proposing for the 112th Congress that begins early next month. Among the changes is a proposal to eliminate the current rule (House Rule XXI) that makes it a violation of House rules to fund highway, transit and safety programs at levels below the authorized level.  A coalition of business, labor and transportation stakeholders have written a letter to House Republican leaders objecting to this proposed change, which could have a dramatic impact on highway and transit projects that depend on a consistent flow of federal dollars. The letter, which was co-authored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Laborer’s International Union of North America, and the American Public Transportation Association, among others, is attached for your review. Our agency is reaching out directly to Congressional offices to express our concerns regarding this proposed change with respect to federal funding for transportation projects.  House Republicans are expected to meet next Tuesday to consider this and other proposed changes to House rules.