CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE
LEGISLATION TO LOWER IMPAIRED DRIVING BAC LEVEL TO .08
BLOCKED IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (4/2/98)
The Rules Committee of the House of Representatives has voted to prohibit a vote on an amendment to withhold federal highway funds from states that do not lower the impaired driving blood alcohol content (BAC) level to .08.
BACKGROUND
In the House, the Rules Committee decides which amendments can be offered and voted on during the debate of legislation. Reps. Lowey, Canady and Castle asked the Rules Committee to allow the full House to vote on their proposal to require states to lower the impaired driving BAC level to .08 (originally introduced as HR 982 - see March 27, 1998 Action Alert) for details on the amendment.
Since the Senate has already supported an amendment on .08, there is still the possibility it could become law when the House and Senate meet to reconcile their bills, if the House accedes to the Senate language. President Clinton has publicly voiced his support of the provision.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
E-mail your Representative at: The U. S. House of Representatives, or call your Representative at the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask for his or her office to tell him or her:
- You are outraged that the Rules Committee blocked
consideration of the Lowey/Canandy/Castle amendment
to the transporation bill;
- You want the members of the House conference committee
to agree to the Senate's amendment in support of .08.
See the NCADD FYI: Impaired Driving for additional statistics and information on impaired driving.