House approves $7 billion highway patch

Extends fund through Sept. 30

Steve Hawley, Jul 30, 09.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved $7 billion on Wednesday to shore up the Highway Trust Fund, according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Without the influx of money, the fund was expected to run dry by mid-August. The $7 billion addition will keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent through September 30, when the current transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, expires.

The Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week, and both houses will take up a longer-term transportation bill after the August recess. The Obama administration and several key senators are pushing for an 18-month extension of SAFETEA-LU, while many House members insisting on implementing a new six-year bill that would reform spending processes.

Roll Call notes that the cash infusion gives Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, more time to push for the new transportation bill. Some senators had hoped to include the 18-month extension in any Highway Trust Fund bill, but with the House recessing on Friday, the Senate will have to act on the short-term fix and not the 18-month extension.

The Federal Highway Administration recently warned that unless Congress acts on the Highway Trust Fund, it may slow the amount of money it gives to states for road and bridge repairs.