Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn Objects To Highway Provisions In the Bill

An Oklahoma Republican Senator says he may try to block a bill that includes an extension of interim funding for the FAA over provisions for federal highway grants also in the measure.

Congressional leaders have fairly quietly agreed to a bill that would extend the FAA's funding at 2007 levels through the end of January, 2012. The current continuing resolution runs out on September 16th, and members are hoping to move this extension through the legislative process quickly. The measure passed the full House on a voice vote Tuesday.

Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) (pictured) was among the Senators who objected to the previous continuing resolution which led to a partial FAA shutdown. In that bill, he wanted deeper cuts in the moneys allocated the "Essential Services" program for rural airports. This time, he says he's focused on the highway portion of the bill according to Bloomberg News. He had said he would oppose the renewal of the highway funding before House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica (R-FL) announced the bipartisan deal on the continuing resolution.

The highway funds are part of the jobs package presented last week by President Obama. The language says that states must set aside three percent of any new highway funds received for job enhancement programs.

FMI: http://coburn.senate.gov, http://transportation.house.gov