Fuel tax to rear its head again on Capitol Hill
Jan 14, 2004 12:00 PM, from staff and wire reports
A proposed fuel tax will again be the main issue hampering a compromise on the highway budget bill during this session of the United States Congress.The Senate Commerce Committee has filed its report on the Surface Transportation Safety Reauthorization Act of 2003, clearing the way for consideration by the full Senate early this year. Senate action could be delayed, however, by the Energy bill and fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which contains the Department of Transportation budget.
Meanwhile, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will consider its reauthorization bill (HR 3550) with mark-up as early as February. The sticking point again will be a fuel tax increase. The House budget assumes a tax increase, which the Bush administration opposes.
