House might vote on highway bill’s energy piece this week

House GOP leaders are holding out hope for a vote this week on the oil-and-gas drilling portions of the wider transportation and energy package that they’re struggling to corral enough support to pass.

The $260 billion package plan includes provisions that mandate a major expansion of offshore oil-and-gas leasing, and would also open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling rigs.

“We are still beginning consideration of the energy/infrastructure plan on the floor this week, and we may or may not get as far as a vote on the energy piece, depending on several factors, including how many of the many amendments we can get through, and the timing of the expected vote on the previously unscheduled payroll/[unemployment insurance] agreement,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

He confirmed that votes on the transportation portions of the package have been punted until after next week’s President’s Day recess.

Republicans envision wider oil-and-gas development as a way to help bring in leasing and royalty revenues to help offset the bill’s cost, although the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the energy measures would pay for just a small portion of the transportation legislation.

The overall transportation and energy package would pay for road and transit projects over the next five years and reauthorize the collection of the federal gas tax. 

But while GOP leadership more than likely has the votes to steer drilling language through the chamber, it faces challenges corralling enough votes for the rest of the package.

Check out The Hill’s Transportation Report blog for more.