July 30, 2014 – Congress is still trying to patch up the Highway Trust Fund. Yesterday, senators voted overwhelmingly, 71-26, to pass a bipartisan plan that was similar to the House bill, except in how it divided up funding sources. Later, the Senate trumped that first vote with another, setting up an even sharper contrast with the House, CNN reported. That final winning measure – from Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer of California, Tom Carper of Delaware and Republican Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee – passed 66-31 and would shorten the timeframe for highway money dramatically. The move would extend funding through December, rather than through May. Senators behind the plan argued that it would force this Congress to come up with a longer-term solution for highway funding rather than punt the problem to next year. The gambit is risky, but forcing a Congress that refuses to act on almost anything to act on something is always a good thing.
Patch Issue in Play
