US House approves short-term financing for highways

Washington

THE US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a two-month extension of funding for transportation projects, setting up what could be a defining fight over money for highways and other infrastructure this summer after years of stop-gap measures.

The extension, which passed in a 387-35 vote with one member voting present, would maintain funding for the Highway Trust Fund through July 31. The Bill now goes to the Senate, which has just two legislative days left before a scheduled week-long Memorial Day recess. The transportation programme's spending authority is set to expire during that break, on May 31.