House Votes to Add $4.4 Billion in 2003 for Highways
The House has approved legislation that would set 2003 highway funding at a minimum of $27.7 billion, rejecting President Bush's proposal to cut spending by $4.4 billion. The vote on May 14 was 410-5. A companion bill in the Senate has 74 co-sponsors but is stalled in committee.
In his budget proposal, Bush sought $23.3 billion for highways in 2003. He cited the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century's Revenue Aligned Budget Authority provision, which annually adjusts highway funds to user tax income. The RABA calculation in the budget was a minus $4.4 billion, due in part to a projected decline in the user taxes.