Highway bill extended through June 30

By Darren Constantino| March 29, 2012

UPDATE: The U.S. Senate has passed by unanimous consent a 90-day extension of the highway bill, which passed 266 to 158 earlier today in the House. Before passage, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) asked unanimous consent to amend H.R.4281 and substitute the text of the Senate-passed bill, says the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) objected. This procedure was repeated by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.), with McConnell objecting each time. Today’s action will extend the current surface transportation programs through June 30.

BREAKING NEWS: After what the Washington Post described as a “rancorous” debate, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed a 90-day extension of the highway bill. All eyes are now on the Senate to pass an extension before the current extension expires March 31. A new three-month extension could make it more difficult to pass a long-term bill as we move later into this election year.