By Ron Thaniel
March 28, 2005

The Senate completed markup the week of March 14 on the highway and transit titles of the reauthorization of the long-delayed TEA-21. The markup conforms to the $283.9 billion funding level proposed by President Bush in the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget and approved by the House on March 2.

The Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is expected to take up the freight and safety title shortly after Congress returns from the spring recess. Floor action is not expected until mid to late April.

Highway Title

On March 16, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved its surface transportation bill by a vote of 17 to 1 after rejecting efforts to increase funding. The Committee's action set contract authority for road projects at $190.8 billion starting in fiscal 2005, or $227.4 billion including authority already granted for Fiscal Year 2004.

Transit Title

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs approved a $51.6 billion reauthorization measure March 17 to fund rail and bus operations for Fiscal Years 2004 — 2009. While the Senate's overall funding level $283.9 billion for the reauthorization of TEA-21 is equal to the amount authorized in the House passed bill, at $51.6 billion, the Senate transit title is less than the $52.3 billion level approved by the House.

For both the highway and transit titles, other than the funding level, the measure's provisions are similar to those in the reauthorization legislation the Senate passed in the 108th Congress.