House ready to claim Senate transpo bill as its own

The five-year transportation bill created by the House did not carry any earmarks, but over 260 amendments to the measure proved to be a deafening blow.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) raised the white flag last week, essentially killing any chance that his chamber would produce a highway bill. Instead, Boehner told reporters he will most likely bring the Senate’s two-year measure up for a vote.

“The current plan is to see what the Senate can produce and to bring their bill up,” said Boehner.

After receiving harsh criticism on it five-year transportation bill, the House was attempting to work out an 18-month or two-year version, but could not come up with the right formula.

The House will break for recess this week, and the current SAFETEA-LU extension expires on March 31.