Despite hundreds of hard hatted construction workers rallying
yesterday at the Mall in Washington, D.C., in favor of House passage of the
Senate approved two hear Highway Trust Fund reauthorization legislation, House
leaders speaking at the rally solemly predicted another short term renewal –
the ninth since the last multi-year reauthorization ran out in September, 2009 –
rather than passage of any long term reauthorization legislation. Senator
Barbara Boxer of California, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee, urged those attending the U. S. Chamber of Commerce sponsored rally
to “Get over to the House and … tell them to pick up the Senate bill and pass
it.”
On the other hand, after his speech to the crowd, House
Transportation and Infrastructure Chair John Mica told reporters he was
consulting with Speaker Boehner on a short term extension. “A decision will be
made on the length of an extension, hopefully in the next 24 hours, and it will
come up on the House floor next week,” Mica said. Seems our elected leaders are
just leading us around in circles.
