Senate Working on Six Month Highway Authorization Extension

With time running out on the thirty day extension on authorization for the highway and transit programs it remains unclear if the House and Senate can agree on how to proceed. The Senate has been attempting to move an eighteen month extension but that effort has been blocked by Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) who believes that a six year bill with increased funding levels is the best approach for transportation and for the economy. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Republican Jim Inhofe (OK) have now reached an agreement with Sen. Voinovich to move a six month extension to avoid disruption in funding while allowing time to continue to work on a long term authorization. The Senate is expected to take up the measure early next week. However, it is uncertain whether the House will agree to the six month extension. The House, following the lead on House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), passed a three month extension with the intent of continuing to press for enactment of a six year measure. Chairman James Oberstar today said he is still pushing for the three-month extension and hopes to try to win approval of a six-year bill by the end of the year. The Senate six month compromise will restore the $8.7 billion rescission that went into effect on September 30. There have been some discussions between House and Senate leadership and the Administration about increasing highway and transit funding in an extension bill as a way to stimulate job growth. With unemployment continuing to increase, the Administration is looking for ways to create jobs without taking up additional stimulus legislation. Since state DOTs have been largely successful in putting highway projects out to bid, increasing this funding is being considered. However, additional funding is not expected to be included in the Senate bill.