The House of Representatives failed to vote on a three-month extension of SAFETEA-LU on March 26, but a letter was being passed—one that is encouraging the approval of the Senate’s two-year highway bill (MAP-21).
Joining Democrats Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Mike Quigley (Ill.) and Rick Laren (Wash.), Republican Reps. Robert Dold (Ill.), Judy Biggert (Ill.) and Charlie Bass (N.H.) submitted their support of MAP-21 in writing, and suggested the House pass the $109 billion measure rather than the 90-day one that is being endorsed by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.).
“While we believe that a longer-term bill is ideal, the Senate bill would provide the transportation stakeholder community with two years of certain funding and policies that will allow state departments of transportation and other transportation agencies to embark on the work necessary to keep American goods and people moving,” said the letter, which was delivered to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
House Republicans are still determined to pass a multiyear highway bill, but have admitted more time is needed to come up with the right formula, hence the request for another extension of SAFETEA-LU, which expires on Friday, March 31.
