Vote Results Likely to Scramble Some Transport Panels; Highway Bill Future Unclear

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img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>In the wake of the Nov. 2 elections that gave President Bush a second term and expanded Republican control of Congress, observers said leadership changes were ahead for some congressional panels important to transportation and the future of the long-pending highway funding bill remained unclear.

Bush defeated Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), but Kerry retained his Senate seat.

Republicans gained four seats in the Senate to create a 55-44 split, plus one Democratic-leaning independent, meaning there will be changes in the way committee seats will be divided between the parties.

Although the Republicans hold the majority in both houses of Congress, congressional sources said the party’s policy of self-imposed term limits would force changes on at least two Senate committees that affect trucking — the Science, Commerce and Transportation panel and the Appropriations Committee.

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