Oberstar Seeking Three-Month Highway Extension

The House will consider a three-month extension of the current highway bill rather than the 18-month extension the administration and Senate want. The extension will avoid a collapse of highway spending on Oct. 1, according to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee press secretary James Berard.

Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the committee, has an extension bill in the works, but it has not been formally filed or marked up, Berard said.

“I can tell you officially that we’re working on it,” Berard said.

Oberstar reportedly has discussed the bill with interested stakeholders. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Associated Equipment Distributors on Monday voiced their support for the extension, but urged Congress to move as quickly as possible to pass a new six-year transportation spending plan.

“The country cannot afford to wait 18 months for long-term investment that will provide comprehensive solutions to our transportation challenges and create jobs,” the two associations said.

The 18-month extension is favored by the Senate and White House. A Senate spokesman said that the four committees with jurisdiction over the highway bill have reported legislation to the floor, but the bills have not been up for debate before the full body.

Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.