Environment and Public Works ranking member James Inhofe (left) and Chairman Barbara Boxer are on the conference committee hammering out a final highway bill.
GOP aides pointed to programmatic reform as a place where negotiators might be able to find compromise. The House legislation reorganized and consolidated about 100 programs within the four major relevant agencies — the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration — into 35 programs. The Senate bill does some of this consolidating, but not as significantly. House sources believe the Senate bill is a start but that the negotiators could do better.
Some of the largest points of contention will likely be the inclusion of the Keystone pipeline and earmark rescission.
The pipeline has become part of nearly every major policy debate this year, with Republicans pressing for its authorization and touting it as important for the economy and the White House repeatedly threatening to veto any bill that includes it.
The composition of the conference is assuredly Keystone-friendly, with bipartisan Senate advocates such as Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.). But the panel also includes top Senate Democrats Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Dick Durbin (Ill.), who will likely take the side of Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), who has pushed back against the pipeline.
But regardless of how intense talks might get inside the negotiating room, don’t expect too many press events outside it, according to sources. No one wants to poison the well too soon as both parties try to navigate toward a deal.
But even promises of civility aren’t likely to keep leaders from subtly digging each other to get things done.
In a statement released Friday about the most recent jobs report, for example, Reid called on House Republicans to help pass the bill.
“Creating jobs must remain Congress’ top priority,” Reid said. “Unfortunately ... the House is sitting on bipartisan bills to save three million transportation jobs, and modernize the postal industry. There is no reason why we should not pass these common-sense jobs bills without delay — no reason except for Republican obstruction.”
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
