U.S. House approves six-year, $325 billion highway bill

By |  November 5, 2015

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a six-year, $325 billion highway bill by a 363-64 vote. The legislation calls for spending $261 billion on highways and $55 billion on transit over six years – only if Congress can come up with a way to pay for the final three years. According to The Hill, the House voted on nearly 130 amendments before getting to final passage.

The measure must now be conferenced with the Senate’s separate highway bill. The Senate’s bill also authorizes six years of funding and only pays for three years; however, it doesn’t require Congress to find a way to pay for the final three years.

Transportation advocates expressed approval regarding the House’s passage of the highway bill, even if the final three years of funding are undecided.

“America has waited a decade for Congress to pass a serious and long-term investment in our nation’s infrastructure, and we are glad this day has finally come after 35 short-term funding extensions,” says Mike Johnson, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association president and CEO. “Our industry produces the raw materials needed to build and improve our country’s road and bridges, and we are ready to get to work.”

“This legislation is a worthwhile effort by House leaders to fulfill their pledge to pass a long-term highway bill this fall,” adds Dennis Slater, president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

Congress faces a Nov. 20 deadline to complete work on a conference report and prevent the gap in highway funding, The Hill says.

Allison Kral

About the Author:

Allison Kral is the former senior digital media manager for North Coast Media (NCM). She completed her undergraduate degree at Ohio University where she received a Bachelor of Science in magazine journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. She works across a number of digital platforms, which include creating e-newsletters, writing articles and posting across social media sites. She also creates content for NCM's Portable Plants magazine, GPS World magazine and Geospatial Solutions. Her understanding of the ever-changing digital media world allows her to quickly grasp what a target audience desires and create content that is appealing and relevant for any client across any platform.

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