Senate leaders reached an agreement on July 23 to take up the House of Representatives’ version of the Highway Trust Fund patch, but to hold votes on four amendments. The House’s version, which was passed by a vote of 367 to 55, calls for the transfer of $10.8 billion from the general fund into the Highway Trust Fund and extends highway and transit policy funding through May 31, 2015.
According to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, it is unclear as to when the Senate will vote on the four amendments.
Senate EPW Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), along with Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), has proposed an amendment that would reduce the $10.8 billion to $8 billion and shorten the duration of the extension to December. Others have proposed amendments that would reduce the federal gas user fee, expedite road and bridge repair projects, and replace the House’s funding offsets with other tax-compliance provisions.
Each of these amendments is subject to a 60-vote threshold. If any of them pass, the House must reconsider the bill. If each fails, the Senate will pass the House version as is.
