'Tough Road Ahead for Highway Funding'
Though a week-long debate led to a six-year, $325 billion highway and transit reauthorization bill getting passed by the House on Nov. 5, Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) President & CEO Brian McGuire issued a supportive but cautionary statement.
McGuire congratulated new Speaker of the House U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) for facilitating the strong bipartisan vote to pass the legislation, but said much work remains to be done.
Authorization for surface transportation programs is again set to expire in 15 days, McGuire said on behalf of AED, an international trade association. “We urge House and Senate conferees to quickly hammer out the final details of a plan to restore stability to the highway program and institute much-needed reforms. AED and its members are standing by to help move final legislation across the goal line and to the president’s desk.”
Congress is facing a Nov. 20 deadline to complete work on a conference report and prevent a gap in highway funding. The House-approved bill funds only the first three years. Congress will need to find a way to pay for the final three years.
The Associated General Contractors of America also urged further action, with its CEO Stephen E. Sandherr saying that the "overwhelming" House support was encouraging and that it addresses crucial problems. Still, “both the House and Senate have failed to address the long-term funding challenges that have repeatedly threatened the viability of the federal transportation program. That is why we will continue to work aggressively to make sure that Congress not only completes this vital measure but that our elected leaders include a viable, long-term solution for funding future transportation investments either in this measure or another bill.”
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