In The News

House to vote to extend highway bill

The U.S. House of Representatives later today, Sept. 23, is expected to vote on legislation (H.R. 3617) that would extend the authorization for highway-related programs – including motor carrier safety – for three months beyond its Sept. 30 expiration.

Legislation (S. 1496) that would extend the authorization for FMCSA programs for 18 months is pending in the Senate, along with a separate Senate bill that would extend the authorization for highway spending for 18 months as well.

Senate leaders and the Obama administration have backed an 18-month extension mostly on the grounds that it will give Congress ample time to consider long-term changes in highway programs, including financing. But House transportation leaders, led by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee James Oberstar (D-Minn.), are resisting that idea, saying Congress should not wait so long to deal with vital infrastructure and safety challenges.

Oberstar and other House transportation leaders have drafted a full six-year bill that would make significant changes in highway programs, including a mandate for electronic onboard recorders and creation of a clearinghouse of positive drug and alcohol test results. An extension of only three months would maintain pressure for Congress to address the highway authorization again in some way before yearend.

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