Patch would give Congress time for multi-year highway bill

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure to extend federal highway funds until Dec. 4. The Senate is expected to pass the measure, as well, to ensure funds do not run out, according to The Hill.

Highway funds are currently scheduled to run out Nov. 20.

In addition, the short-term patch would give Congress more time to agree on a multi-year highway bill.

“The House and Senate are making good progress in resolving differences between their respective multi-year surface transportation reauthorization proposals,” says Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.).

“The conference committee needs the time necessary to meet in public, complete negotiations and produce a final measure that helps improve America’s infrastructure,” Shuster adds. “This clean extension provides time for that process to occur and for the House and Senate to vote on the final legislation, without shutting down transportation programs and projects in the meantime.”

The temporary highway bill doesn’t include new money, The Hill reports. Congress reportedly included enough funding in a three-month highway bill that was approved this summer to last until the end of the year.