What is the bill about?

The US Defenders/C.O.I.R. reports that Congressman James Sensenbrenner (Wisconsin) filed a bill on Tuesday, May 7th to prohibit the federal funding of motorcycle only roadside checkpoints. 

The bill, H.R. 1861, has nine original co-sponsors however, we need many more to pass this landmark legislation! 

Sensenbrenner had this to say in a 'Dear Colleague letter' that is circulating in the House of Representatives:

'In the 112th Congress, I introduced H.R. 904, a bill to prohibit the Department of Transportation (DOT) from providing funds to state and local authorities for the purpose of creating motorcycle only checkpoints. Section one of the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act contains the same language as H.R. 904. However, this bill also contains language to force the DOT to focus motorcycle safety efforts on crash prevention programs, not national helmet mandates.'

We had a National CTA to support H.R. 904 and are in support of this years bill H.R. 1861.

The bill was officially introduced on May 7th.

What can I do?

It's important to contact your sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives and ask them to be a co-sponsor of this Bill. Ask them to contact Congressman James Sensenbrenner and lend their support as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1861. 

We would also like all of our members to urge their U.S. House Representative to support this legislation. Surely the Transportation Department can find some more meaningful and worthwhile use of our limited Tax dollars

How do I do it?

PHONE:  You can contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. 

The following is a sample conversation with your Representative:

"Hello my name is (your name) I live at  (your address).   I am calling you to ask that you co-sponsor and support Jim Sensenbrenner's Bill H.R. 1861 Entitled Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act introduced on May 7th. As a concerned taxpaying citizen I would appreciate your support on this meaningful piece of legislation."

EMAIL:  You can also go to:  http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ , enter your zip code to find your Representative and email them directly.