Dem motion to accept Senate highway bill defeated in House

The House late Tuesday rejected a Democratic proposal to instruct the House to accept the Senate's highway bill.

House Minority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) raised the motion last week, when it was debated, but it was expected to fail given House GOP opposition to the Senate bill. The House turned away Hoyer's motion to instruct by a 172-225 vote.

But the House did accept a motion to instruct from a Republican, Rep. Diane Black (Tenn.). Her motion instructs House negotiators to reject Senate language that offers states grant funding to fight distracted driving. Members narrowly approved that motion, 201-194.

Regardless of whether they passed or failed, the motions are inconsequential at this stage. The House and Senate are working on an agreement off the floor that would either reauthorize highway spending for several years, or provide for a short-term extension.

Highway authorization expires at the end of this month.