Transportation reauthorization gets panel’s approval

The Surface Transportation Authorization Act, the name for the new six-year highway authorization bill, was passed out of the House Highway and Transit subcommittee on June 25 by voice vote.
According to Transportation and Infrastructure committee leaders, the full committee will consider the bill the third week in July and then by the full House of Representatives the last week of July.

The lack of recorded votes was a courtesy to the chairman, who requested amendments be held until full committee consideration. Because the committee's printed copies of the bill did not include the funding levels and ratios, it was impossible to determine how much money particular programs or states would receive. However, policy and programmatic changes were clear as black print on white paper.

The nearly perennial donor-donee debate appeared right away, with both Democrats and Republicans introducing and then withdrawing amendments that would ensure donor states see an equitable return on the gas tax revenues their states' motorists send to Washington. A total of 12 amendments were offered and withdrawn, making it clear that the bill as introduced does not satisfy everyone on the 75-member panel.

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) and its Transportation Coalition and Americans for Transportation Mobility coalitions continue to push for congressional action on a multiyear, comprehensive bill.

The aggressive mark-up schedule depends on the Ways and Means committee approving the financing and revenue section of the bill in order for the two parts to be merged before the full House considers the bill. The Obama Administration's push for an 18-month extension of the current highway law may influence when and if the Transportation and Infrastructure committee is able to consider the bill.

To comment on this story or for additional details click on the related button above.