House Proposes 9th Extension for Transportation Authorization

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) announced that he will introduce a “clean” three-month extension of highway and transit programs that contains no policy changes. The extension will not be taken up until next week. Chairman Mica said that the extension will give House Republicans time to work on completing a five-year version of reauthorization. H.R. 7, as reported from House committees.  Current program authorization expires on March 31, 2012. In addition to spending, authorization to collect the federal motor fuels tax expires at the same time. The proposed extension would run until June 30. Last week, the Senate passed MAP-21, a two-year authorization of the surface transportation programs, by a vote of 74-22. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has been calling for the House to take up the Senate bill rather than pass a short-term extension. At the same time, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he is not inclined to bring up a short-term extension. Yesterday, Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) introduced the Senate bill in the House and attempted to have it added as an amendment to a separate piece of legislation that was under consideration. That effort was unsuccessful. For more information, please contact Brian Deery at (703) 837-5319 ordeeryb@agc.org.