Congress Set to Pass Two-Month Highway Bill Extension

Last Friday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster along with Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan introduced a two-month extension of current highway funding authorization. The extension, which runs until July 31, does not require offsets and gives lawmakers extra time to find a permanent funding source for passage of a longer extension or a fully-funded, multi-year bill later this year. The House voted yesterday 387 - 35 to pass HR 2353, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, and it now heads to the Senate for passage before Congress adjourns for the Memorial Day recess.

According to a statement issued by Shuster and Ryan "It was our preference to move an extension through the end of the year, but we will need more time to reach a bipartisan agreement on offsets." Senate Finance Chairman Orin Hatch commented shortly after the announcement, stating he would support the House proposal. The extension should be a relatively easy lift for Congress since no offsets are needed nor are there any General Fund transfers; it is are simply extending the authorization until July 31 when the Highway Trust Fund runs out of money.

NRMCA has urged members of Congress to pass a long-term extension instead of a temporary patch in order to get the industry through the primary construction season. Last week, NRMCA joined members of the Highways Materials Group (HMG) during Infrastructure Week in sending a letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to act on a long-term bill. In addition to NRMCA, group members include the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the American Concrete Pavement Association, the Portland Cement Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Associated Equipment Distributors and the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute.

Also included in Infrastructure Week, NRMCA issued a grassroots action alert asking association members to send letters to their Members of Congress urging them to fix the Highway Trust Fund and enact a fully funded, multi-year highway bill. Almost 300 letters were sent. Thank you for your participation.