By Ron Thaniel
November 3, 2003

Leaders of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee have scheduled November 5 as the date for markup of TEA-21 reauthorization legislation. The date was agreed to by four senators central to negotiations for reauthorization of the nation's surface transportation law. Floor action is not expected until next year.

In a joint statement, leaders of the Senate committee said they planned to move the bill with bipartisan support and seek floor consideration "as soon as Congress returns to work early next year."

"It is our hope that we can reach agreement with the House before the current extension expires on February 29, 2004, and send a bill to the President's desk as quickly as possible," read the statement from Chairman James Inhofe (OK), Ranking Member James Jeffords (VT), Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Kit Bond (MO), and that Subcommittee's Ranking Member Sen. Harry Reid (NV).

Important provisions of the legislation have yet to be finalized, including specific funding levels for the states. The agreement draws extensively from recommendations made by the Bush Administration in its "SAFETEA" proposal released earlier this year.

During discussions last month on the 5-month extension law, House and Senate transportation leaders openly promised prompt action on Committee proposals renewing TEA-21, although funding constraints, which stalled earlier action, are very much the same today as they were last month when the extension was debated.

On the House side, leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are continuing their work on their renewal plan and expect to have details to release before the Congress adjourns next month.

Please visit the Conference homepage at usmayors.org to view the EPW draft legislation.