The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a $15 billion jobs bill that includes an extension of funding for the highway and transit programs until the end of the year and a $20 billion infusion of cash into the Highway Trust Fund from general funds. The one-time transfer of $20 billion should keep the fund solvent through the first quarter of 2011.

The bill also restores an $8.7 billion highway authorization that was rescinded when SAFETEA-LU expired last Sept. 30.

The bill also contains an extension of the DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. Also built in is an extension of the Build America Bonds provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The House passed the bill with support from only six Republicans. The total vote was 217-201. The bill now goes to the Senate, but there is no indication when the Senate might consider it.

The federal highway program is now operating under a one-month extension approved on Tuesday, March 2. This is its fourth short-term extension.

Tom Foss, president of Griffith Co., of Brea, Calif., presented testimony for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee this week on the importance of transportation investments to the national economy and jobs. Foss emphasized that the construction industry, like other businesses, relies on a well-functioning transportation system for delivery of materials and products to jobsites and, therefore, called for increased investment to improve system functionality.

Foss pointed out that unemployment in the construction industry is currently running at more than 24% and that additional highway and transportation investment is needed to remedy this situation.

AGC’s testimony pointed out that transportation funding in the stimulus legislation has saved construction jobs but that more funding is needed. Foss also called for enactment of a long-term SAFETEA-LU reauthorization with increased funding to bring long-term economic growth and certainty to the highway construction market.

EPW Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said she is committed to getting a six-year highway bill completed this year. She called the hearing the first step in accomplishing this goal.