May 24-25, 2011 Federal transportation programs face challenges like never before. SAFETEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009 and funding for the highway and transit programs have been continued through a series of short term extensions.

After nearly three and a half years and seventeen extensions Congress is finally moving legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration programs. On February 18 the Senate approved a two year measure that would, among other things, fund the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at 4.0 and 4.1 billion respectively.  In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a 4-year FAA reauthorization.

AGC of America sponsored a forum on the conservative case for transportation. Hosted by the Weekly Standard, it was the magazine's first-ever policy event.

The current extension of highway and transit program authorization expires on March 4, 2011.  Failure to pass an extension by that date will result in a shutdown of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-W.V.) have introduced a bill to extend highway and transit authorization through the end of FY 2011.

President Obama submitted his fiscal year 2012 budget request to Congress that asked for a significant boost in transportation funding and outlined the Administration’s principles for a six year $556 billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a number of changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) regulations that will impact contractors working on FHWA, FAA and FTA funded contracts.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is scheduled to address the closing session on Friday, March 25, 2011 during AGC’s 92nd Annual Convention, held in conjunction with the 2011 CONEXPO-CON/AGG tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The House Republican leadership continues to work with its rank and file members to develop a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through the remainder of FY 2011. The federal government is currently operating on a continuing resolution that expires March 4 because the last Congress did not pass any of the 12 full-year appropriations measures for the current federal fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

Vice President Joseph Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this week announced the Administration’s intent to request a significant increase in funding for its high speed rail initiative.