Senate Stalls Transport Appropriations Bill

The Senate rejected an effort to advance a transportation appropriations bill, mirroring the action yesterday by the House.

In a 54 – 43 vote, the Senate declined to end debate on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations measure.

Six more yeas, for a total of 60, were needed to win cloture and allow work on the measure to proceed, but five Republican Senators who had supported the bill in committee switched their votes.

Susan Collins, R-Maine, urged her fellow Republicans to support the $55 billion bill but Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said it would spend too much money.

Since both chambers have failed to produce a bill, Congress will have to fall back on a Continuing Resolution to fund the Department of Transportation after Oct.r 1.