Senate is Next Hurdle For Transportation Bill House approves bill providing $284 billion, but doesn’t alter states’ guaranteed funding ratio
Now its the Senates turn to produce its candidate to be the next, big transportation bill. The ball bounced into that chamber on March 10 when the House passed legislation to provide $284 billion for federal road and transit programs through 2009. The House cleared its measure by a resounding 417-9 vote despite a White House veto threat over a provision that seeks, in effect, to reopen the bill in 2006 to add more funds.
Industry groups, which have been pushing for the legislation for more than two years, were pleased at the House action, but know the contest is far from over. "This is a major milestone," says Steve Hall, the American Council of Engineering Companies vice president for government affairs. "The quicker we get to conference, the sooner we can get a final bill done and...to the Presidents desk."