Boehner, Reid talks may end U.S. transport bill standoff

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

By David Lawder and John Crawley

WASHINGTON | Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:03pm EDT

(Reuters) - Republican and Democratic leaders in the U.S. Congress held talks on Monday over an extension of transport construction authority that would avert project shutdowns and give House Speaker John Boehner a shorter window to resolve Republican divisions over a signature jobs initiative.

Aides said that Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and their staffs were discussing how to proceed after Boehner postponed a House vote on his proposal for a 90-day renewal of current law.

If no action is taken by week's end, the government would have to stop collecting gasoline taxes and cut off the flow of money to road, bridge and mass transit projects, forcing the lay-off of tens of thousands of construction workers.

"We are in the midst of bipartisan conversations about a short-term extension of the highway bill," Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner. "To facilitate those conversations, the House vote on an extension will occur later this week rather than tonight."

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/27/us-usa-infrastructure-funding-idUSBRE82Q00420120327

[AlbertCat]

1. Boehner a shorter window to resolve Republican divisions

He sux at that. He's the party leader who can't lead. I hope Reid didn't make him cry.

He's gonna have to do something because the War on potholes is almost as stupid and disastrous as the War on women. The Repugs can't do anything right... even when they're doing nothing. They got nothing.

[savalez]

2. I like that!

Repugs do nothing, wrong.

[xtraxritical]

3. After the repiglicans were eviserated by trying to kill the bill with the Blunt amendment

Boehner is desperate to get his team on board for appearances sake. Here's the jobs Repubs what are you going to do?