AASHTO Journal, 5 August 2011
The House of Representatives and the Senate both recessed this week until after Labor Day, leaving only 24 days when lawmakers return to the Capitol on Sept. 6 to introduce and clear legislation reauthorizing federal highway and transit programs, which are set to expire Sept. 30 at the end of this federal fiscal year.Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee introduced last month outlines for their multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bills. (see July 8 and July 22 AASHTO Journal stories) But with Washington consumed during the last several weeks with passing an increase in the nation’s debt ceiling to avoid default Aug. 3 (see related story), surface transportation reauthorization bills were not filed in either chamber prior to the month-long summer recess.