Republicans roadblock roads report

According to NSSGA, last week, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) made another unanimous-consent request to bring up the FY '08 transportation and housing conference report but was rebuffed by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who objected. On Nov. 15-16, similar requests were rebuffed by Republicans. Those attempts came after the House passed the conference report Nov. 14 by a vote of 270-147, a few votes short of the two-thirds necessary to override a veto. Specter did not explain why he objected, but the administration did oppose spending more than the president requested, along with the numerous earmarks included in the bill. It is unlikely that the transportation spending bill conference report will be considered as a stand-alone measure at this juncture. Most likely, it will be included in the larger omnibus bill Democrats are packaging. Regardless, NSSGA will continue to press for passage of the transportation funding provisions to ensure the money guaranteed by SAFETEA-LU is allocated. Your comment?