Surface Transportation Extension (the Highway Bill)

With the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, commonly referred to as the Highway Bill, expiring in less than a month, lawmakers in both chambers of Congress are beginning to acknowledge the inevitability of a surface transportation extension, likely lasting one year. A yearlong extension would give the next Congress time to get organized, which will be especially key if either chamber or the White House changes party control. The extension could pass by unanimous consent as a standalone bill or be attached to a continuing resolution to keep the government funded, which has the same September 30^th deadline. Additionally, the extension and or continuing resolution could end up attached to a fifth coronavirus relief package, which is currently hindered in partisan gridlock. To read more about what the FAST Act provides for California’s rural counties, see here.