Extension Looms as Federal Transportation Talks Reach an Impasse

With the House/Senate Conference Committee under pressure to agree to a transportation reauthorization bill, House Speaker John Boehner indicated that if agreement can't be reached by June 31, a 6-month extension (rather than 3 months) is preferable.

2 minute read

June 11, 2012, 6:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The Hill's transportation reporter, Keith Laing reports that "the talks (of the 47-member transportation conference) have appeared to reach an impasse in recent days."

The talks were convened on May 8 after the House passed an additional three-month extension of the 2005 transportation legislation on April 18. With that extension set to begin on July 1 (if the Senate agrees), the Speaker's indication that he preferred a longer extension showed his determination to take a stronger role in the talks which was not appreciated by the chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works and Committee

"I am very disappointed that Speaker Boehner is even talking about a long-term transportation extension, which would lead to the Highway Trust Fund going bankrupt, when all of our efforts must be focused on passing a transportation bill by the June 30th deadline," Senator Boxer said in a statement released by her office.

Laing also reports that Boxer was pleased that a motion by Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) to authorize only enough transportation spending as is taken in by federal fuel taxes was overwhelmingly defeated by the House, calling the motion 'irresponsible'.

"I am very encouraged today (June 8) that the House of Representatives soundly defeated an irresponsible proposal to cut transportation spending by many billions of dollars from current funding levels," Boxer said in a statement released by her office.

Laing notes that the Senate bill (S. 1813 or MAP-21) "has proposed filling the funding gap with a package of tax loopholes and fee increases."

Thanks to AAR Smart Brief

Thursday, June 7, 2012 in The Hill's Transportation Blog

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today