House advances highway/Keystone bill

The House on Wednesday afternoon advanced a bill that would extend federal highway programs through September, and require the approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline within 30 days.

In an early afternoon vote, the House approved the rule for the Surface Transportation Extension Act, Part II, H.R. 4348. Members voted 246-177 in favor of the rule, which allowed members to start debate on the bill itself and pass it later on Tuesday.

Every voting Republican supported the rule, along with seven Democrats.

In early debate on the bill, Democrats lamented that Republicans were missing a chance to reach a deal on a longer-term highway bill, and said another short-term agreement would keep construction projects in limbo.

"We need to make investments in our nation's highways and transportation projects," said Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.). "That much Republicans and Democrats can agree on to bring our infrastructure into the 21st century.

"Yet instead, this short-term bill before us represents another missed opportunity to make these critical investments for our country's future."

Other Democrats argued that while Republicans have said they would move legislation on a bipartisan basis, they are only allowing three Republican amendments to be considered today.

"Open House my foot," Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) complained.

But Republicans focused on the Keystone language in the bill, and said it represents another chance to approve that pipeline and help move Canadian oil to Texas refineries, creating jobs and helping to lower gas prices.

"My Democratic colleagues may be well-served to ignore their Occupy Wall Street handlers for a moment, and recognize that as gas prices increase, it costs more to transport food and other essential goods and services, which lowers the standard of living for all Americans," said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.).

Foxx also noted that gas prices have risen dramatically over the last few years, and took a shot at President Obama for creating that trend by curtailing oil-and-gas development.

"My guess is this is not the kind of change that most Americans were expecting or wanted when President Obama promised change," she said. "Maybe since the President doesn't fill up his own gas tank, he does not fully appreciate this reality."

Under current law that passed last month, federal highway funding expires at the end of June. H.R. 4348 would extend that through September, the end of the current fiscal year.

In addition to the Keystone language, the bill would also create a trust fund that ensures 80 percent of the penalties against BP for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill go toward Gulf Coast restoration.

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