The Senates passage of a new transportation measure puts lawmakers in a race toward a May 31 deadline for a final version of the long-delayed legislation. The Senate bill, approved May 17 on a resounding 89-11 vote, must be reconciled with one the House passed April 2. The big difference is money. The House calls for $283.9 billion over six years. The Senate bill has $11.2 billion more. It provides $251 billion over five years, but adding 2004s approved funding makes its total $295.1 billion.
The $11.2-billion spread is a key to the bills fate. The Bush administration has warned of a veto if the final total tops the House mark. Time is pressing. Transportation programs have operated under a series of six extensions since Sept. 30, 2003, when the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century expired. The sixth stopgap lapses May 31. With a Memorial Day recess to start May 28, that leaves few days for House and Senate conferees to reach a compromise.