House and Senate fight over transportation funding

The U.S. House and Senate are fighting over a transportation bill that hasn’t even been introduced yet. Today, California Senator Barbara Boxer upped the ante by asking federal transportation officials to intervene on her behalf.

The bill that pays for federal transportation projects expired more than a month ago. Since then, temporary extensions have paid for highway projects, bridge repairs, and mass transit.

Democrat Barbara Boxer, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, wants a six- month extension to work out the funding for the next transportation bill. Her colleagues in the House would rather tackle an entirely new multi-year bill.

Boxer says so far she's lost the battle. "I can’t convince the House."

The problem with short extensions is that states aren’t getting their full allotment of federal money – only about 70 cents on the dollar.

At a committee hearing, Boxer asked a pair of transportation undersecretaries to intervene. "We need your help now on this standoff," she said.

The cost of the next transportation bill will exceed the revenue from the gas tax. Tax hikes are politically difficult at any time – particularly during a recession.