With a floor vote on the massive economic stimulus package coming as early as Wednesday afternoon, Minnesota’s congressional representatives are looking to increase transit funding. DFL Rep. James Oberstar had words with the Obama administration over transit disagreements and DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is looking to add $3 billion in transit spending to the package.

An amendment to add $3 billion in mass transit spending cosponsored by Ellison will be up for consideration. The amendment passed a key House committee this week, and the full House will vote on it soon.

The amendment comes as another Oberstar expressed differences with Obama’s director of the White House’s National Economic Council, Lawrence Summers. Oberstar had been pushing for $12 billion in transit spending but the Obama administration, skeptical of that large amount, has been pushing for $9 billion.

According to transit advocates, Oberstar and Summers had “a shouting match.” A transit supporter said that Oberstar “left the impression it was not a friendly conversation.”

Oberstar spokesman James Beard said: “There was discussion between Mr. Oberstar and Mr. Summers. I don’t know the level of emotion involved.”

The amendment for $3 billion in transit spending hopes to make up the difference. Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., is the chief author for the transit amendment. Reps. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.; Dan Lipinski, D-Ill.; and Michael McMahon, D-N.Y, join Ellison in sponsoring the amendment.