When the continuing resolution expires, most likely in early November, Congress will still face the challenge of extending Surface Transportation Program funding until a more comprehensive law can be enacted. This week Senate committee leaders hoped to reach a unanimous consent request to take up and pass their eighteen-month extension plan. The eighteen-month plan would be voted on as amendment in the nature of a substitute for the three-month extension plan passed by the House last month (H.R. 3617).

However, the Senate has yet to reach this goal. Having fought for a twelve-month extension, Sen. Voinovich (R-OH) remains the likely resistance to reaching the eighteen-month plan with his retirement imminent in fifteen months. If the Senate does manage to pass the eighteen-month extension as an amendment to H.R. 3617, then it will move on to conference for House and Senate leaders, along with guidance from the White House, to settle their differences.