U.S. Senate Committee Approves 18-month Reauthorization Delay

Earlier this week, the United States Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee approved legislation that would extend the current federal highway program authorization through March of 2011.  The measure would maintain FY 2009 levels of highway investment over that period.  While the Committee endorsed the Obama Administration’s call for an 18-month extension, they rejected the Administration’s push to include its policy priorities of livability and increased investment in metropolitan areas in the interim measure. 

Also of note, approval of the extension came after the Committee narrowly defeated an alternative offered by the bipartisan leaders of the panel’s Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee, Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio), by a vote of 11 to 8.  The Voinovich-Baucus proposal would have extended the program for 12 months and was intended to keep the Committee focused on pushing for a long-term bill this year.  Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter voted for the 12-month Baucus-Voinovich amendment.  While the Baucus-Voinovich amendment was not successful at the Committee level, there may be an opportunity to revisit the duration of an extension as the measure moves to the Senate floor.

SOURCE: ARTBA

07.16.09