Transportation Bill Stalled – Action Needed to Pass a Bill in the House

Last week President Obama signed into a law a 90 day extension of the federal surface transportation programs.  As reported last week (link to last weeks CLWIR), Congress passed the 9 extension of SAFETEA-LU before leaving Washington for a two week recess. When the House and Senate return to session on April 16, there will be continued focus on passing a bill.  Since the Senate has already passed their 2-year $109 billion bill, MAP-21, the responsibility lies with the House to pass a bill that will allow them to go to conference with the Senate and negotiate a final package.  Thus far the House Republicans have been unable to secure the necessary votes in their conference to pass H.R. 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure e Jobs Act.  Following passage of the latest extension, the House will have to decide how quickly to move on a longer term bill.  Speaker John Boehner has indicated he would like act on a bill in the week or two following their return from recess on April 16.  This approach would give the House and Senate a good chance of completing a conference by June 30.  If they House decides to not act quickly upon their return, there is little chance of completing a conference by the expiration of the current extension. In this case, another extension would almost certainly be necessary. Making things even more complicated is that House leaders have yet to decide what bill they will pass to arrive at a conference with the Senate.  This fact makes advocating for the House to take action very difficult.  However, it is still imperative that while House members are back in their districts that they hear from their constituents of the importance of passing a bill that gets them to a conference with the Senate.  It is vital that AGC members stay involved and continue to engage your Representatives and let them now that the time to act is NOW.  For more information on how to send a letter or schedule a meeting with your Representative, please visit www.agc.org/roads.