Congress returns

Congress returned to work yesterday (and I use the term "work" lightly.) They intend to complete the legislative agenda for the first session of the 109th Congress. Topping the agenda is forging an agreement on budget reconciliation legislation. One item of contention, according to sources at NSSGA, is the FY 2006 Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, Judiciary, and District of Columbia spending bill, which was recently signed into law. The bill earmarks $36 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, but that might change if Congress decides to include an across-the-board cut in one of the remaining spending bills or in the budget reconciliation package. Your comment?