Highway Authorization Extended Through Next Spring

Congress on Thursday sent the president a highway bill extension, running through next May. The legislation (HR 5021) would extend federal transportation programs through May 31, 2015. The Senate had proposed different offsets and a shorter timeframe that would force Congress to tackle a long-term transportation bill before the end of the year. On Wednesday night, House leaders put forward a motion to disagree with the Senate amendments and revert to the House bill. The Senate had little choice but to clear it on Thursday, with highway funding facing cuts today.

A FFIS Issue Brief on the bill is forthcoming.