Published in Last Word
House Ways & Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced legislation this week to transfer $10.8 billion into the Highway Trust Fund, which would extend MAP-21 funding for eight months.
The bill extends expiring customs user fees by one year and modifies federal pension laws to offset a $9.8 billion transfer from the General Fund. It also transfers $1 billion from the gas tax-supported fund for leaking underground storage tanks. Spending for highway and transit programs would be extended through May 31, 2015. The Ways & Means Committee is scheduled to vote on the measure on Thursday morning.
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to consider its Trust Fund patch this week. Committee leaders are negotiating a mix of tax measures and spending cuts to pay for an $8 billion transfer that would last through December 31, 2014.
Many Senate Democrats support extending MAP-21 only though the end of the year to leave open the possibility of passing a long-term transportation reauthorization in a post-election session. House Republican leaders would prefer to avoid taking up the bill in the lame-duck period.
ACEC urges Council members to lobby their Member of Congress and Senators to pass both a short-term funding patch and a long-term sustainable solution for the Highway Trust Fund. Click here to access a sample email letter.
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