[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 57 (Thursday, April 29, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HIGHWAY BILL EXTENSION

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, throughout the day we have had discussion 
regarding the short-term highway extension. My colleague, Senator Bond, 
has been here throughout the day, working hard and discussing the 
critical importance of having this body move forward on the 6-year 
authorization measure on transportation that has passed both Houses.
  Obviously, there is a frustration that there has been an objection 
from the other side to our request to appoint conferees to move this 
bill to conference. We will do a short-term extension in a moment. 
However, as majority leader, in the absence of an agreement to move 
forward on the transportation bill, I am committed, after talking to 
and working with Senator Bond over the course of the day, to use our 
procedural options to put the Senate on record next week with regard to 
going to conference on the highway bill.
  The distinguished minority whip is on the floor, and he has been very 
engaged in this issue as well.
  I do thank our colleague, Senator Bond, and all the others involved, 
for allowing us to move on this short-term extension at this time. 
Again, I believe it is time for us to follow the regular order and send 
the 6-year authorization bill to conference.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I also extend my appreciation to Senator 
Bond. This is not a time to declare winners or losers. This is part of 
the legislative process. Senator Bond is an experienced legislator. He 
is a former Governor. He knows the importance of the highway bill. I am 
confident the resolution of this matter that we have worked out in the 
last several hours will be good for the country and certainly will be 
good for the 5,000 people who work at the Department of Transportation.

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