Final Transportation Equity Act is Still Pending

March 1, 2004
This second extension of TEA-21, which expired last September 30th, takes current funding and programs to April 30th. The House cut its original proposal

This second extension of TEA-21, which expired last September 30th, takes current funding and programs to April 30th. The House cut its original proposal for a four-month extension back to this two-month version.

TEA-21 would be a six-year plan, but funding levels are a critical sticking point for the government. The House had originally called for $375 billion to be spent over the six-year period, but the Administration has requested just $256 billion, threatening a veto if a larger sum is passed. In this Presidential and Congressional election year, the idea of extending yet again current funding until the new Fiscal year has some support since all those running could avoid public exposure to their views until after the elections.