Is the White House rethinking highway funding?

The White House may be buckling on its stance on an 18-month funding extension for the road and bridge industry.

According to Streetsblog Capitol Hill, an anonymous Senate aide has indicated that the Obama administration is taking a second look at the possibility of suggesting a second stimulus bill as job losses continue to mount.

In fact, administration officials have told allies in Congress that a broader transportation bill is on the table, according to the Senate source.

Oct. 6, 2009

The White House may be buckling on its stance on an 18-month funding extension for the road and bridge industry.

In fact, administration officials have told allies in Congress that a broader transportation bill is on the table, according to the Senate source.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said additional transportation funding would be popular among Democratic lawmakers.

“If there was to be another round of stimulus, additional infrastructure would be at the top of the list,” said Van Hollen.

The Obama adminstration has been reluctant to endorse the new six-year, $500 billion highway House bill because the plan lacks the right financial formula. If a second stimulus is created, money would be pulled out of deficit spending.

Another possible scenario that could play out is the passage of an 18-month extension, with more money added to it.