Trent Lott: “That is absolutely the case. But the problem they had in the House--we both served in the House; we know what it is…”

“That is absolutely the case. But the problem they had in the House--we both served in the House; we know what it is like-- highway infrastructure and transportation funds are very, very important in every State. This is not a partisan issue. This is an issue that divides us, some not really even by regions; States side by side can have a different view of the formula. And I think they pushed the 6-month proposal because they could not get the votes for anything else right then. But I think if the Senate does not show leadership and keep the pressure on them, we will never get this issue resolved. That is why I had not wanted to do anything akin to 6 months. I wanted us to have some basic flexibility so States could reprogram, move funds around and make sure we had the safety fund but keep the heat on. But I think the best thing that we could do on that right now is to make sure there is not a short-term problem with availability of funds, realizing that in the colder States you need to do contracting in December and perhaps early January to have those programs underway in the spring. But again, it is my intent for the Senate to go ahead and take up this issue and address it early to put pressure on the House and also so that whenever they do get their act together and vote, we will be ready for conference.”