House Speaker John Boehner

House Speaker John Boehner Credit: House Speaker John Boehner (Getty Images)

The U.S. Senate passed a two-year, $109 billion transportation bill Wednesday by a vote of 74-22, putting the spotlight on the House of Representatives, which has been unable to get enough votes to pass its own transit bill.

House Speaker John Boehner said last week he planned to take up the Senate's bill if a deal wasn't reached in the House.

Mass transit advocates, including the MTA and several local politicians, rallied against the House bill, saying it would "rob" the cash-strapped transit agency. MTA chief Joseph Lhota called it, "the worst piece of legislation anyone could ever imagine," and said if passed, "it will raise fares."

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) said he is hopeful the transportation legislation would restore higher tax breaks for commuters.

(with Reuters)

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

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