House leader rules out Senate version of highway bill

WASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is ruling out House action on a long-term, must-pass highway bill the Senate is considering.

In an interview with reporters on Monday, the California Republican said definitively: “We’re not taking up the Senate bill.”

The Senate’s version of the highway bill, which is on track to pass later in the week, sets policy and authorizes transportation programs for six years, though with funding for only three of those years. The Senate also is moving toward reviving the federal Export-Import Bank and adding it to the bill.

The House has passed a five-month extension of transportation programs without the Export-Import Bank.

If Congress doesn’t act by Friday, states will lose money for highway and transit projects in the middle of the summer construction season.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

“I Voted” stickers cover a table at the entrance to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Margin narrows between Muzzall and St. Clair in WA Senate race

Meanwhile, a Lake Stevens school bond remained short of the 60% threshold in Wednesday’s results.

From left to right, Dave Larson and Sal Mungia.
WA Supreme Court race is incredibly close

Just 0.05% separated Sal Mungia and Dave Larson on Tuesday. More votes will come Wednesday.

Nora Xue, 24, fills out her ballot at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
5 big takeaways from election night in Snohomish County

The most expensive legislative contest was close. School funding plans were failing. And incumbents were largely cruising.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington’s capital gains tax survives repeal effort

Voters were opposing Initiative 2109 by 63.2% to 36.8%, as of Tuesday.

x
Edmonds woman, 82, accused of hate crime, disrupting Trump rally

The incident reportedly came Monday, the day before Donald Trump would again become president-elect.

Snohomish School District’s Clayton Lovell plugs in the district’s electric bus after morning routes on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the district bus depot in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
WA voters strongly rejecting repeal of landmark climate law

Initiative 2117 was losing by a 61.7% to 38.3% margin in the statewide tally Tuesday night.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.