US Congress nowhere near a deal as highway fund deadline nears

Washington

US Senate action on legislation to fund the nation's roads and bridges for three years will stretch into the week, just days before a July 31 deadline, putting pressure on both chambers to consider a short-term extension.

The House will need to act on the Senate's ambitious six- year plan to rework infrastructure and highway-safety policy. The Highway Trust Fund would begin to run short during this weekend's start of a scheduled August recess for House members.

House Republican leaders have declared the Senate's funding measure dead on arrival. They have urged the Senate to debate the House bill that would provide funds through Dec 18, leaving time for talks on finding other sources of…