House Transportation Extension Opens Door to Passage of Two Year Bill

April 19, 2012

In response to passage of H.R. 4348, a 90-day extension of federally funded surface transportation programs, by the United States House of Representatives, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) released the following statement.

“While we are disappointed the House chose to pass another short-term extension—for the tenth time—we are hopeful the House and Senate will adopt the Senate’s 2 year bill and expeditiously send it to the President,” said RTA Executive Director Joseph G. Costello. “The bipartisan Senate bill protects gas tax funding for transit; provides tax relief by reinstating the pre-tax commuter benefit with an increase from $120 to $240; recognizes the need for a national State of Good repair program, supports multi-modal transit systems and maintains current funding levels for the next two years.”

In the coming weeks, members of the House and Senate leadership are expected to appoint conference committee members who will reconcile the differences between H.R. 4348 and the Senate passed, S. 1813. Once reconciled, conferees will prepare a final transportation bill to be voted on by both chambers and then sent to the President for his signature.