Federal Government Policy and Business

U.S. House OKs interim fix for nearly depleted Highway Trust Fund

Dallas News: WASHINGTON — The House on Tuesday easily approved a short-term fix to the nearly depleted federal Highway Trust Fund, as the prospects of hundreds of thousands of job losses and stalled road construction in August overwhelmed the protests of conservative groups that opposed the bill.

The 367-55 vote was more grudging than it appeared. Democrats, led by President Barack Obama, denounced Congress’ failure to pass a multiyear transportation bill that probably would have needed tax increases to fund the nation’s infrastructure needs. Conservatives — and some liberal Democrats — called the funding mechanisms for the $11 billion House bill gimmicks that masked the true cost.

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