Minnesotans Press Emergency Relief Bill After Bridge Collapse by Staff Writer Appearing in Congressional Quarterly on 2007-08-02. Minnesota lawmakers are pressing for quick enactment of legislation to provide emergency relief to their state following the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis late Wednesday. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Thursday rushed legislation (HR 3311) through his panel that would authorize the secretary of Transportation to repair and reconstruct the bridge and authorize $250 million for the task. The federal share of the cost would be 100 percent. The staff of Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., said the Senate was preparing an identical bill. If the House voted on its bill first, the Senate would clear it by voice vote with the goal of getting it to President Bush's desk later Thursday, Coleman's staff said. The House could take up the bill, which the committee approved by voice vote, as early as Thursday afternoon. Oberstar said during his bill's markup that the funds would come from the general fund rather than the highway trust fund. Oberstar said his push for the funds came in response to a request by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican.

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