Congress adjourns with no stimulus package

The 110th Congress adjourned on Oct. 3 after having completed action on the Economic Rescue Plan. In the final week of the session attempts to pass economic stimulus legislation, however, were unsuccessful. Senate leadership left open the possibility of returning for a "lame duck" session following the elections but the House did not. The House passed an economic stimulus bill (264-158) which included $12.8 billion for the federal-aid highway program; $3.6 billion for transit; and $600 million for airport capital improvement projects. The Senate bill, which included $8 billion for the highway program; $2 billion for transit; and $400 million for airport capital improvement projects failed on a procedural vote (52-42).

Congress also failed to enact an appropriations bill to fund the Department of Transportation for FY 2009. Therefore, DOT programs were included in a continuing resolution which provides funding at the 2008 level through March 6, 2009. Congress will need to take additional action before March 6 to fund DOT programs for the remainder of FY 2009.