By Ron Thaniel
May 10, 2004

The Senate averted a May 1 shutdown of federal highway, transit and safety programs April 29 by passing a third extension of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).

The two-month extension follows the current system for distributing highway, transit and safety funds. During the extension, states and local agencies will receive a prorated share of the program funds that have been previously appropriated for FY04.

Uncertainty continues to grow on whether congress will in fact reauthorize TEA-21 before the election.

Republican leaders in both the House and Senate abandoned efforts on May 4 to arrive at a funding level that the Administration could support. The Senate bill (S. 1072) would cost $318 billion, the House bill (HR 3550) would cost $283 billion. The Administration, after initially insisting on a funding level of $256 billion, has refuesed to accept more than $275 billion, and has threatened to veto a final version reflecting either the House or Senate number.

In addition, Democratic leadership has blocked a conference on the House and Senate highway bills citing Republican exclusion of Democrats from substantive meetings on major legislation.