In The News

Oberstar says there will be no highway law extensions

James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., the chairman of the House committee responsible for writing a new highway bill, says he will not agree to extend the current law.

Oberstar, Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman, told the Congressional Quarterly that he will “not sponsor or support an extension of surface transportation programs if a new long-term authorization bill cannot be completed by the Sept. 30 deadline.”

He said he would allow the programs to expire, and lawmakers would have to answer to states that lose their federal transportation support.

His threat comes at a time when the Obama administration has touted the importance of infrastructure spending to create jobs during the current economic recession. Democratic leaders in both chambers would have the final word on the matter.

The last time the attempt was made to reauthorize federal highway and transit programs, Congress extended the law 12 times before enacting the current 2005 version.

Oberstar said lawmakers use short-term extensions as an excuse not to get their work done.

Oberstar had hoped to mark up this year’s reauthorization bill before the Memorial Day recess, but he said it probably will be a few more weeks before a draft is ready for committee approval.

The Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for the financing portion of the bill, may be holding hearings in July on the subject. Oberstar said he wouldn’t move his bill to the floor without the funding piece attached, Congressional Quarterly reported.

The bill must also go through four Senate committees. Be that as it may, Oberstar was adamant about extensions. “I won’t do it on Sept. 29,” he told the publication.

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