Senate Committee OKs highway law extension
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key U.S. Senate committee approved on Wednesday part of President Barack Obama's plan to keep road and highway programs operating as the fund for construction and repairs comes close to zero. The Environment and Public Works Committee voted to extend the current transportation law, which expires on September 30, by 18 months.
The measure will be combined with one currently under consideration by the Senate Finance Committee to transfer $20 billion into the fund that provides money for highway projects, and then sent to the full chamber for a vote. "Right now, with the Highway Trust Fund running out of funds even as we speak, the most important thing is predictability," said Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer.