www.bikernet.com
Highway Bill Timeline
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is closely monitoring developments in Congress following comments from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), who announced that lawmakers could take up a draft surface transportation reauthorization bill within weeks. With current federal transportation funding authorities set to expire on September 30, Chairman Graves emphasized the urgency of moving forward, noting, “It’s a must-do legislation. If we don’t get this done, then all the state DOT programs start shutting down and funding dries up.”
Chairman Graves said the committee is likely to begin marking up legislation in early February and hopes to move the bill off the House floor this spring. He also highlighted the unresolved issue of the Highway Trust Fund, stating, “We’ve never had a time when we’re so far apart between what we need and what we have to work with and that gets back to fixing the trust fund.” As Congress considers potential solutions, including new revenue sources, the MRF will stay actively engaged to ensure the interests, safety, and access of America’s motorcyclists are fully represented in this critical highway bill.
After House action, the Senate is expected to take up its own version of the legislation. Across the Capitol, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has indicated that highway legislation is likely to be debated in March or April. Chairwoman Capito has emphasized the need to continue investing in modernizing surface transportation corridors while also identifying a long-term funding solution for the nation’s highway system.
Join The MRF, visit http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983
The post Highway Bill Timeline appeared first on Bikernet.com - Online Biker Magazine.