Congress has extended the 2005 highway authorization (popularly known as SAFETEA-LU) to Dec. 18, reports the Journal of Commerce
. The Senate and the House have been involved in a continuous tug and pull over a longer extension to the spending law, which expired Sept. 30.

Since July, the Senate has been working on a bill to extend the highway authorization to March 2011. This approach is supported by the Obama administration as well as Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

But Congressman Jim Oberstar, who's opposed to the extension plans, supports a completely new authorization of surface transportation programs. Oberstar, D-Minn. chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

There has been no decision on a longer extension, JOC says.


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