On Friday, President Obama signed a three-month stopgap bill preventing federal highway funding from drying up. He took the opportunity at the same time to scold lawmakers for failing to agree on a long-term measure, calling it “funding transportation by the seat of our pants.”
According to The Hill, Obama said he had no choice but to sign the short-term measure to prevent an interruption of money for roads and bridges during the summer construction season.
The $8 billion package Obama signed extends infrastructure spending until Oct. 29. Funding for surface transportation projects was set to expire on Friday. In the meantime, Republican leaders in the House and Senate are arguing how to cover an estimated $16 billion shortfall in transportation funding.
The Senate passed a six-year highway bill on Thursday but House Republicans refused to take up that plan. House members left town Wednesday, forcing the Senate to pass the three-month bill.