Long road to reauthorization
A House effort to reauthorize federal surface transportation operations would provide $500 billion for highway and transit infrastructure and safety programs over a six-year period, according to a legislative blueprint released Thursday. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asked Congress Wednesday to consider an interim, 18-month bill to replenish the Highway Trust Fund while a long-term spending plan is crafted, but by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar and three colleagues said such an approach “is not acceptable.” Meanwhile American shippers and transportation providers say they're willing to contribute to upgrading the nation's freight system, as long as fees are equitable and collected specifically for that purpose.
