Senate Signs On to Highway Funding Extension

The Senate late Wednesday passed 62 – 38 a budget resolution that included a one-month extension of existing highway programs.

The resolution was an agreement between House and Senate appropriators that allows the federal departments to continue operating if Congress has not already approved their budgets for fiscal 2010.

Senators did not consider a bill that would continue the highway program through Dec. 31. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee reportedly was drafting last-minute legislation to match an extension that the House approved last week.

Boxer’s bill also included language to rescind a requirement in the highway bill that would have canceled states’ contracting authority for federal funds not already obligated to infrastructure projects.

The Senate adjourned without bringing up Boxer’s bill.

The continuing resolution drew fire from several Republicans. The resolution is normally a straightforward document that extends the federal budget. The conference committee included language to continue several programs along with the highway program. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., warned that by doing so, the Senate was setting a dangerous precedent.

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