- 12 - the whole, to be so construed that, if it can be prevented, no clause, sentence, or word shall be superfluous, void, or insignificant.’” TRW Inc. v. Andrews, 534 U.S. 19, 31 (2001) (quoting Duncan v. Walker, 533 U.S. 167, 174 (2001)). Further, petitioners’ contention that the word “automobile bus” is insignificant also renders the 1978 amendment substituting automobile bus for vehicle superfluous. One of the stated purposes of the 1978 amendment was to “encourage greater use of bus transportation.” S. Rept. 95-529, supra at 54, 1978-3 C.B. (Vol. 2) at 246. We cannot ignore the overwhelming evidence of deliberate intent to include the word “bus” in the statute. Therefore, we reject petitioners’ argument. After arguing that the term “automobile bus” has no significance in the statute, petitioners argue in the alternative that we should accept their proffered plain meaning of “automobile bus”. Petitioners surmise that Congress meant to use the word “automobile” in its noun form to describe the traits that the word “bus” is supposed to have. The noun form of “automobile” is commonly defined as a “four- wheeled automotive vehicle”. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (1993). Together with the word “bus”, petitioners conclude that Congress meant to include all four-wheeled vehicles which travel on regular routes in defining what vehicles qualify for the exemption. Respondent argues that Congress meant thePage: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Next
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