AASHTO Journal, 27 June 2014
The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday began discussing a proposal that would temporarily keep the Highway Trust Fund afloat. The committee was originally scheduled to vote on the measure, but bill sponsor and Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) postponed the vote in order to gain the support of Senate Republicans. The meeting will resume during the week of July 7 after the Independence Day recess of Congress.
Wyden’s original proposal released prior to markup, the Preserving America’s Transit and Highways Act of 2014 (or PATH Act), would have provided $9 billion to keep the HTF solvent through Dec. 31. Wyden planned to raise the money necessary through various tax code changes, such as a fee increase on heavy trucks and distribution rule modification for pension plans. Senate Republicans voiced their opposition to the bill, so Wyden and Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have reportedly been participating in discussions to find bipartisan agreement. Reflecting this ongoing dialogue, Wyden offered a modified package during the Thursday markup that would instead provide $7.6 billion to the HTF through the end of 2014. Postponement of the committee’s vote will allow time for continued discussions within the Senate and also with House leaders.
“Strong transportation and infrastructure are critical to a growing and healthy American economy. I hope to see the committee take decisive bipartisan action and send a clear message that stabilizing the Highway Trust Fund is a priority now,” Wyden said in a statement. “Moving the PATH Act forward is an imperative first step as the committee works together on a sustainable, long-term solution. Failure to act now could lead to a transportation shutdown, leaving our roads in disrepair and putting thousands of hard-working Americans out of their jobs.”
Hatch said the short amount of time available to act before HTF insolvency necessitated collaboration.
“We have to get it right when it comes to funding the Highway Trust Fund, and that means working in a bipartisan and bicameral manner to create a bill that is acceptable to both sides in both chambers. This means real cuts to wasteful and low-priority spending must be included. Being that our ultimate goal is to produce a bill that the President will sign, we must work with House leaders going forward,” Hatch said. “I am pleased [House Ways and Means] Chairman Camp has agreed to work with us on this endeavor, and I am confident we can find a path forward. This is an urgent matter that must be addressed as soon as possible.”
Additional information on the PATH Act is available here. A video of the Senate Finance proceedings can be found here.