Could A Highway Bill Finally Be In Sight?

Washington DC July 18, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that according to National Journal’s CongressDaily AM, lawmakers and aides were optimistic late last week that a deal on the six-year surface transportation bill could be reached as early as this week.

A ninth extension would be inevitable, however, to allow time for the bill to pass final approval and move onto the President’s desk. From CongressDaily AM: “Aides worked over the weekend, with a goal of presenting a report for review by the top eight conferees tonight. That timetable would allow all conferees to read and approve the report Tuesday, with action by the full House and Senate to follow.

The latest extension of the old law expires Tuesday, and a new one is likely to be approved then.” While the gap between Senate and House spending levels has decreased, the Senate has not yet reached President Bush’s proposed spending level of $284 billion. At present, conferees in the Senate have discussed spending $286.5 billion for FY04-09.