WASHINGTON: Transportation funding bill faces GOP opposition | National Business News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

WASHINGTON — A measure awarding generous funding to road and bridge projects, community development grants and housing help for the poor is running into stiff Republican opposition in the Senate.

The bill appeared likely to fall prey Thursday to a filibuster by Republicans unhappy that the legislation breaks through budget limits required by automatic spending cuts known as budget sequestration.

“Voting for appropriations legislation that blatantly violates budget reforms already agreed to by both parties moves our country in exactly, exactly the wrong direction,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said.

Far more austere companion legislation was pulled off the House floor Wednesday because, top lawmakers said, GOP leaders lacked the votes to pass it. The House Appropriations Committee chairman, Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky., said it was time to go back to the drawing board and come up with a compromise with congressional Democrats and the White House.

via WASHINGTON: Transportation funding bill faces GOP opposition | National Business News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer.