WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congress sent President Obama a three-month bill to keep highway and transit money flowing to the states for his signature, just one day before funds would have been cut-off. By a 91-4vote, the Senate approved the short-term bill, which had passed the House the day before. The three-month spending patch is the 34th short-term extension since 2009. It extends government authority to process payments to the states through October 29, 2015, and provides $8 billion to shore up the Federal Highway Trust Fund through mid-December.
The Senate also passed a bipartisan long-term highway bill, setting the stage for a discussion with the House of Representatives in the fall on determining transportation policy and long-term funding sources for our nation’s highway and transit systems.
Additional background on highway infrastructure funding is available here.