By Cian Cashin, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, AAMVA

They’re really going to try it.  Or at least they’re making a consolidated effort at getting out some version of a highway reauthorization measure in both chambers.

In my mind, it’s more a case of dueling banjos. As we’ve noted, the Senate has introduced its two year highway reauthorization measure – MAP-21.  There’s obviously much to be desired from that legislation, including the funding levels, but not to be outdone, House Speaker Boehner tentatively approached the microphone this week to announce he too is going to squeeze in his surface transportation bill before year’s end.  Really?  With the deficit reduction committee talks coming to a standstill, 9 more appropriations measures to get done in the next month, and apparently little to no collaboration occurring between both sides – I’d really like to see how such huge considerations will be accomplished.  I suppose stranger things have happened.  With little details about the legislation, Speaker Boehner, House Transportation and Infrastructure chairman Mica, and Republican leaders announced a tandem bill that would address surface transportation reauthorization measures that would get Americans back to work on repairing infrastructure while simultaneously expanding American resources for energy exploration.  Without even getting into the details, the previous sentence alone should immediately narrow the bill’s prospects of getting broad support in the Senate.  All I can say on the obviously competing measures is that I wish them luck.  Maybe both measures really just serve as a placeholder and party rallying point for the weeks ahead – a political give and take without much substance.

For those of you sick of choking on emissions, you’ll be happy to hear the Obama administration has moved forward with a proposed final rule setting stricter vehicle fuel economy standards.  The new standards would require automakers to produce vehicles by 2025 that will achieve a fleet-wide average of 54.5 miles per gallon. While ambitious and great for the environment, automakers have balked – and given their recent stock quotes, it’s easy to see why.  However, it’s gained broad support for being one of the initial steps in reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources, albeit by squarely putting the impetus for reducing that reliance on the people that make the goods rather than by placing responsibility on the consumer.

I can’t say I didn’t see it coming, but with all the “buses” being thrown around the Hill these days, it’s easy to lose sight of exactly what’s happening with the appropriations measures.  With time running out on solidifying FY 12 spending bills, only one “minibus” has made progress.  The conference report (112-284) on the Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation appropriations measure (HR 2112) is in its final stages.  That only leaves nine more spending bills to go.  With concerns over how they will be packaged, order they will be addressed, and numerous other details, top House appropriators are more amenable to putting the final nine into a single package for consideration.  In the words of House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) Congress “will have to put together a rest of the bus.”  Apparently they’re still looking for a catchy name.  Submit your picks before Christmas.

Finally, and not least important, the above mentioned conference report on HR 2112 (the only packaged and moved minibus) is expected to contain an extension of the current stopgap continuing resolution through December 16^th.  The current continuing resolution expires on midnight November 18^th, making agreement almost assured (or they would likely have announced another vehicle).  That being said, there’s still plenty of time to change tactics…leaving scant hours to avoid a partial government shutdown seems to be the recent MO.  That being said, extending operations to December 16^th means the rest of the appropriations measures will likely need to be considered in some form or another in the next month.