Rep. Mica to Support Extension of Transportation Spending Plan, Aide Says

Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will support a temporary extension of the nation’s transportation spending plan when Congress returns to Washington next month, an aide said.

“While there are no details at this point, as the Committee continues work to complete a six-year surface transportation reauthorization it will also support an extension of expiring authority as necessary,” Mica spokesman Justin Harclerode told Transport Topics on Wednesday.

The current transportation law — SAFETEA-LU for Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users — expired in 2009 but Congress has approved several temporary extensions.

The most recent extension expires Sept. 30, meaning that without another extension the federal government would not be able to collect its 18.4-cent gas tax or its 24.4-cent diesel tax which support the nation’s transportation system.

Nor will the government be authorized to spend on transportation.