Extension Looms as Federal Transportation Talks Reach an Impasse

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