Senate Proceeds With Amendments to Highway Bill, Schedules Sunday Session
The Senate on July 24 voted 51-26 to allow debate on amendments to a six-year highway bill.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) proceeded to limit the amendments that could be considered, and he indicated he would allow procedural consideration of an amendment that would undo President Obama’s signature health-care law, and an amendment on the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.
Procedural votes are scheduled on July 26 at 3 p.m. EDT, with legislative work on the bill expected to continue next week.
Speaking on the floor July 23, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) touted the bill’s proposal that would establish a national freight program.
MORNING DEBATE: Video replay via c-span.org
“The freight program will help America’s transportation system continue to facilitate expanding U.S. trade flows,” Fischer said, adding that, “although this bill does not include every single provision I initially advocated for, I was willing to compromise for the greater good of our country’s transportation network.”
Republican leaders plan to advance the expansive bill before highway funding authority expires July 31. Last week the House passed an $8 billion highway funding patch that would sustain the Highway Trust Fund through mid-December. House Republican leaders have yet to endorse the Senate’s six-year measure.
McConnell had indicated that supporters of the Ex-Im bank were planning to block the highway bill if the reauthorizing amendment was not considered. So, in turn, the amendment was called up for a procedural vote, expected to occur July 26. That move prompted Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a presidential aspirant, to allege that McConnell had been insincere with him.
Cruz is a staunch opponent of reauthorizing the bank. He’s threatened to delay the bill’s progress if the reauthorization is adopted, and he took to the floor on July 24 to criticize McConnell for allowing the amendment to reach the floor.
“Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and I approached the Majority Leader (McConnell) afterwards, in which he emphasized again, there is no deal, ‘I will do nothing. I oppose the Export-Import Bank. All I said is they can offer an amendment, like any senator can to any bill.’ Madame President, I went back to my office and sat and had a long discussion with my staff. My staff told me that afternoon he’s lying to you.”
