Congress is taking steps to avoid a Sept. 30 shutdown of the federal highway program, but further action still is needed. The Senate Finance Committee has approved legislation that extends the motor fuels tax for five months. The bill, approved Sept. 17 by a voice vote, also has ethanol fuel provisions that benefit the Highway Trust Fund.

In the House, leaders of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Sept. 16 introduced two bills to extend the highway program itself. One renews the program for six months; the other, for five months. Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) said, "An extension will give our committee and the Senate committees the needed time to complete our versions of this vital legislation."