Before Congress left last month for a two-week recess, it made progress on a multi-year transportation bill. But as legislators returned, prospects were dimming that a new measure would be wrapped up by May 31, when the latest highway and transit extension expires. Also simmering on Capitol Hill are Corps of Engineers authorization, fiscal 2006 appropriations and a bill to let association member firms buy health insurance jointly.
The long-delayed transportation bill remains constructions top item. "Its our big focus right now," says Jeffrey D. Shoaf, Associated General Contractors senior executive director for government and public affairs. After House passage and Senate committee approval in March, the next stop is the Senate floor. "Were still trying to work to get floor time," says Will Hart, an Environment and Public Works Committee spokesman. But possible partisan battles in the Senate over confirming judges "could really slow things down the rest of the year," Shoaf says. That could make a final transport bill impossible by May 31. If the Senate doesnt act soon, "A short extension is becoming increasingly likely," says Laurence D. Bory, a vice president with HDR.