With two days to spare before authorization for federal transportation programs and the gasoline tax expires, the U.S. House approved a 90-day extension bill Thursday instead of taking up the long-term transportation bill approved with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. All five House members from Iowa were among the 229 Republicans and 37 Democrats who voted for the short-term bill. Ten Republicans and 148 Democrats voted no. After the jump I’ve posted comments about today’s vote from Representatives Dave Loebsack (D, IA-02) and Steve King (R, IA-05), along with statements Leonard Boswell (D, IA-03) and Bruce Braley (D, IA-01) released last week. I’ll update the post if Tom Latham (R, IA-04) comments on the transportation policy impasse.

The Senate approved the bill by voice vote Thursday to send it to the president’s desk before March 31. Several Democrats criticized House Republicans for not passing the Senate bill or a House version of long-term legislation, which would prompt conference committee negotiations. Both Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin voted for the Senate version of the highway bill two weeks ago.

Statement from Representative Dave Loebsack, March 29:

Loebsack: Short-Term Highway Bill Only Kicks the Can Down the Road

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House voted on a short-term highway bill instead of long-term, bipartisan legislation.

“It seems like even on the best days around here, Congress takes one small step forward and three large steps backwards.  Earlier this week, the House worked together to send bipartisan legislation to the President to increase lending for small businesses.  Unfortunately, in the very next step, the Republican leadership continued its political games by forcing a vote on a short-term extension of a Highway Bill that no one wants and risks another unnecessary shutdown because of brinksmanship. Passing a bipartisan, long-term bill, as I have continued to call for, is the only way that will allow states and local governments to effectively plan projects that are critical to communities’ economic development.

“While today’s vote does nothing but kick the can down the road, it would be the height of irresponsibility to completely shut down work on highways and the jobs that go with them, which would be the result of not passing this bill.  I reluctantly voted in favor of this extension so we do not get to that point.  I have called on Speaker Boehner and the House leadership multiple times to pass a long-term bill like what recently passed the Senate.  Passing a Highway bill has traditionally been done in a bipartisan fashion, and it is my hope that we can once again do that.”

Statement from Representative Steve King, March 29:

King Votes to Extend Transportation Funding

Washington, DC- Congressman King (R-IA) released the following statement today after voting for the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012:

“As the the founder of King Construction company in Iowa, I understand the important role that solid infrastructure plays in the stability of our state and nation,” said King. “Today I voted to ensure that programs under the Highway Trust Fund would be funded through the end of June of this year, but this short term extension highlights the need for a long-term surface transportation bill.  I have been concerned that in the past the gas and diesel tax dollars that are collected from drivers as a user fee and used to fund the Trust Fund have been diverted for other projects. We must be certain that these fees are used to repair, maintain, and build out our nation’s roads and bridges.  A long term extension will build up our economy, encourage job growth and keep Iowa strong.”

Statement from Representative Leonard Boswell, March 22:

Boswell Urges Swift Bipartisan Action on Transportation Bill

House Should Pass Bill to Create More than 2 Million Jobs

Washington, D.C.  – Congressman Boswell (IA-3), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, called on House Republicans to abandon their partisan transportation bill and bring up the bipartisan job-creating Senate bill introduced as H.R. 14 by House Transportation leaders that previously passed the Senate by a vote of 74 to 22.

“Last week, Democratic and Republican Senators overwhelmingly voted to generate jobs, repair our roads and bridges, invest in our infrastructure, and strengthen our economy. I am proud to stand with 90 of my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill to the House. Sending the bipartisan Senate transportation bill to the President’s desk before the current highway program expires at the end of the month will bring certainty that state and local governments need to pave the way for a stronger America.

“Now is not the time for a House Republicans’ ‘my way or the highway’ No-Jobs agenda. Instead we need swift House action on the Senate bipartisan package that will save or create 17,600 jobs for workers here in Iowa.

“Transportation has long been a bipartisan issue – and the Senate continued this tradition. In contrast, House Republicans have advanced what Republican Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the most partisan and worst transportation bill in decades. Instead of taking up a Senate proposal that creates more than two million jobs, Republicans are pushing a bill that destroys more than half-a-million jobs. Rather than work with Democrats to rebuild America, Republicans are proposing to cut highway investments in 45 states, bankrupt the Highway Trust Fund, and weaken our economy.

“Without a doubt, the House Republican transportation bill is bad for jobs, bad for public safety, bad for workers and bad for our economic growth. But we can take a different route – the bipartisan route of swiftly enacting the Senate bill to make the investments necessary to strengthen our economy and our middle class, create jobs, and rebuild America.”

Statement from Representative Bruce Braley, March 22:

Braley Statement on Stalled Transportation Bill

Political gridlock to blame

Washington, DC – Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today regarding delays in passing a transportation bill out of Congress:

“Ridiculous partisan gridlock in Washington continues to delay funding to fix Iowa’s dilapidated and dangerous roads and bridges. This must stop and the solution is simple.

“The House should join Senators Grassley and Harkin and pass the bipartisan transportation bill to fix our roads and bridges and create hundreds of jobs in Iowa. Washington should stop kicking the can down our deteriorating roads, which are putting drivers and passengers at risk.”