Reid signals Senate Dems ready to swallow 90-day highway extension

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) signaled he is willing to set aside the Senate's only major accomplishment so far this year and accept a 90-day extension of highway funding in order to prevent the program from running dry on March 30. 

Reid said the Senate was "waiting to see what the House is going to do," adding "we have been waiting all week and I am confident they can scrounge up the 218 votes."

Earlier this month the Senate passed a $109 billion two-year highway bill after nearly five weeks of wrangling on the Senate floor, but House Republican leadership has refused to take up the bill for lack of support in their caucus.

Last Thursday Reid blasted House Republicans for refusing to move the measure, saying they were "disorganized" and suggesting he would refuse to bring any short-term highway extension to the Senate floor.

The House is expected to vote on that 90-day extension on Thursday afternoon, and the Senate will likely take it up shortly after.

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