Article credit to Deborah Lockridge at TruckinInfo

The House of Representatives unveils a short-term funding patch to keep the highway program running for the next six months. Senate committee prepares to consider a comprehensive highway safety bill Wednesday.

House leaders Monday night released a short-term highway bill that would use tax compliance rules to extend federal funds through Dec. 18. The $8.1 billion bill, according to published reports, tightens disclosure rules for mortgages,. Also, extends an airport security fee increase, gives IRS investigators more time to investigate some tax avoidance, among other things.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said the proposal would give lawmakers time work on a six-year highway program.

Highway safety bill

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is scheduled to consider and vote. Vote on a comprehensive highway safety bill Wednesday that includes hot-button trucking issues such as younger drivers, hair testing for drugs, and changes to the Compliance, Safety, Accountability enforcement program.

The Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015 (S.1732) authorizes the office of the Secretary of Transportation for the next six years. It contains “key reforms to enhance safety, provide regulatory relief and  improve the accountability and efficiency of oversight efforts. This is according to the website of Senate Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D, who introduced the bill.

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