After the House of Representatives had passed an extension for thirty days for The Highway Trust Fund, President Biden signed the extension enabling a promise that they wouldn’t leave the 4,000 federal employees hanging despite delays and resistance that’s happening over passing the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.
The infrastructure bill, which has been stalled after Democrats failed to show the unity of support for its passing, includes the funding required for roads and transits ambitious project work.
While the House had voted for the 30-day extension on Friday night, it was only officially passed on Saturday afternoon. This not only gave a positive sign for the go-ahead on the roads’ project but also ended the furlough for nearly 4000 employees in the Department of Transportation.
The failure to get this pass would mean a severe lapse in highway project agendas, the infrastructure of roads and safety programs designed, according to The American Association of State Highway and Transportation. The chair of the Transportation Committee Rep. Peter A. DeFazio expressed relief over the extension saying the temporary funding will give Congress enough time to get the infrastructure bill and spending package passed with unity.
The President stated that whether it takes six minutes, six days, or six weeks, they will work on getting the infrastructure bill passed for the betterment of the American people at large.
House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi also released a letter addressed to her colleagues on Saturday, which shed light on their collective agenda to Build Back Better. The letter significantly noted how Congress is now required to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill latest by October 31 as the highway funding extension would run out and take them a step back.
