Late last week, House Way and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that he would not be able to finalize his plan to combine an international tax reform package with revenues to support passage of a highway bill. Chairman Ryan had been in negotiations with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) on the tax package, but those discussions hit a roadblock last week. Aides to both members cited differences in the amount of funding that would be allocated for highways. The announcement by Ryan comes on the heels of the next highway bill extension deadline on Thursday, October 29.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) responded to Ryan's announcement by stating that his committee would move forward with introducing a bill as quickly as possible without a dedicated funding source. With the looming deadline approaching, it is still feasible that the House could take up the Senate highway bill and go to conference. However, time is running out and Congress must act quickly or pass an extension to fund the program beyond the late deadline. NRMCA is joining the Highway Materials Group in sending a letter this week to all members on the Ways and Means Committee to urge action on funding a highway bill. Group members are also meeting with members of Congress during today’s NRMCA Quarterly DC Days to encourage swift action on passing a surface transportation bill in order to avoid another extension.