House Passes Short-Term Extension of Highway Bill

Last week, the House passed a five-month extension of highway and transit programs that expires December 18. Bill H.R. 3038, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, was sponsored by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). The extension provides $8 billion in funding for the Highway Trust Fund which is expected to face a funding shortfall in early August. The $8 billion in funding was cobbled together from a combination of additional tax compliance measures and spending reductions for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) fees. Chairman Ryan has told House leadership that he is confident he will be able to pass comprehensive tax reform legislation before the end of the year and continues to support the use of those additional revenues from tax reform to fund a multi-year transportation reauthorization. However, Senate leadership remains pessimistic that comprehensive tax reform is possible to pass within the current time constraints and is moving forward with its version instead.

In June, NRMCA joined members of the Highways Materials Group urged Rep. Ryan to hold a public hearing to address  long-term funding for a surface transportation authorization bill and the need for a funding source that is sustainable, dedicated to transportation and provides sufficient revenue for a six-year reauthorization bill. In addition to NRMCA, group members include the American Coal Ash Association, 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.