The U.S. Senate voted 85-11 to proceed to consideration of the proposed legislation, S. 1813, more commonly referred to as Moving ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), its version of the surface transportation reauthorization bill, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) reported in a Feb. 9 Washington Watch & eDigest special legislative update.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, called the move a “tremendous vote” and asked that senators not offer non-germane amendments, particularly any on what she termed “hot button” issues, according to the NSSGA report.

Voting against the motion to proceed were the following:

• Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)
• Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
• Mike Johanns (R-Neb.)
• Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)
• Mike Lee (R-Utah)
• Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
• Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
• Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)
• Mark Begich (D-Alaska)
• Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
• Jim Risch (R-Idaho)

The Senate currently is deciding whether to continue with 30 hours of debate or proceed directly to amendments to the bill, according to NSSGA.