SENATE REACHES TENTATIVE DEAL ON HIGHWAY BILL REAUTHORIZATION

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK) announced recently that committee members had reached a bipartisan agreement on their portion of the highway reauthorization bill.  The Committee plans to mark up a draft bill November 5, but will not seek floor action until early next year.

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), which authorized $218 billion for surface transportation systems over six years, expired September 30.  Congress passed a five-month extension (Public Law 108-88) bill in September to give lawmakers more time to negotiate on a six-year bill.   Under the measure, states will continue to receive federal funds for transportation projects until February 29, 2004.  

Release of the Senate committee draft has been delayed because of disputes over changes to Clean Air Act provisions, but those differences should be worked out soon, according to committee staff.

Meanwhile, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) continues to work on his committee's draft of a reauthorization bill and expects to introduce a proposal by the end of the year.  Chairman Young’s attempts to raise money for the highway reauthorization bill through a gasoline tax increase have been stymied by opposition from the Bush administration and House Republican leaders. Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI) and other members of the committee have been promoting parts of the $375 billion plan through 'Road Show' stops around the country since early summer.

For more information on TEA-21 reauthorization go to http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/