The fight for six years

Even though the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee approved the Obama administration’s 18-month extension of SAFETEA-LU on July 15, the House insisted on moving forward with a new multi-year bill. The issue will come to a head within the next two weeks as the House and Senate move toward their annual recess in August. All parties agree that the Highway Trust Fund’s revenue shortfall must be addressed before the break.

Despite its easy 18-1 passage of the 18-month version, the EPW narrowly defeated (11-8) an amendment by Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member George Voinovich (R-Ohio) to shorten the extension to a year.

The House Ways & Means Committee has scheduled a second hearing on the next reauthorization bill on July 23.

On July 17, the House Appropriations Committee approved its version of the FY 2010 spending package, which calls for $41.1 billion in highway and bridge improvements, $10.5 billion in public transportation support and $3.52 billion for airports.