Senate begins unofficial debate on highway bill

The Senate on Thursday morning began debate on whether or not it should take up its own version of the surface transportation bill in preparation for a vote on the matter scheduled for 2 p.m. 

The legislation, S. 1813, was cleared by the Finance Committee on Tuesday and would reauthorize federal aid for highway and highway safety construction. The bill being considered by the Senate includes one controversial measure that would also raise revenue for the highway trust fund by making a small tax hike on money saved by Americans for retirement.

Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) on Thursday praised the bill, saying it was forged out of compromise with her Republican counterpart, Sen. James Inhofe (Okla.).

"I'm proud of this bill and its reforms," said Boxer. "It was a give-and-take that resulted in this compromise which is a good bill, a good solid bill."