House and Senate Ready Surface Transportation Reauthorization Packages
Issue Brief 12-07
February 14, 2012
The most recent long-term surface transportation
authorizing legislation, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (P.L. 109-59; SAFETEA-LU),
expired September 30, 2009. The absence of a new law has produced a series of
short-term program extensions, with the current extension expiring on March 31,
2012.
House and Senate committees have completed two surface transportation reauthorization packages, which differ significantly in policy, funding, and duration. The full House is expected to consider its five-year reauthorization proposal this week, while the Senate has begun debate on a two-year proposal.