The Senate April 29 passed a third short-term extension to continue highway and transit programs, this time until June 30. The bill had passed the House April 28.

But the bill, HR 4219, hit a snag when Sen. Christopher Bond, R-MO, chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said he would place a "hold" on the legislation until Senate Democrats agreed to move forward with a conference.

But Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-SD, said he wouldn’t appoint conferees until Democrats are allowed to participate in a "pre-conference" to determine, in part, funding levels. Democrats have complained they are being excluded from conference agreements.

Daschle also indicated he would not go along with a short-term extension unless he saw significant progress being made on achieving a consensus on the reauthorization.

But Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid, D-NV, said Democrats would support a short-term extension, adding that had no wish to see a shutdown of federal transportation agencies.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-TN, reportedly assured Bond he would bring a measure to the floor this week to move the Senate toward a conference. Bond then removed his hold and the bill was passed by unanimous consent.

The issue: funding levels

House and Senate GOP leaders met with White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card April 29 to discuss a funding number for the reauthorization that would be acceptable to both Congress and the president.

The White House said it would veto both the House bill, HR 3550, passed at $284 billion; and the Senate bill, S 1072, passed at $318 billion. The administration has said it will oppose any funding level in excess of $256 billion.

Although both bills passed by wide margins, GOP leaders are refusing to proceed with a bill that the president would veto, and are instead attempting to negotiate a compromise.

In the meantime, some 20 senators signed a letter to President Bush April 29 saying, "The Senate's TEA-21 reauthorization proposal will create millions of American jobs over the next six years, provide a continued boost to the nation's economy, and improve the quality of life for all Americans.

“Importantly, S 1072's financing package assures that these benefits are delivered without raising taxes or increasing the federal deficit. We voted for S 1072 because it is a responsible measure that addresses the nation's transportation challenges. Anything less would be a step backward that our nation cannot afford to take."