Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Air Quality

Did Oberstar Admit There Won’t Be a Transportation Bill This Year?

The short answer: Nope.

A report published this hour suggested that the House transportation committee chairman -- who has repeatedly vowed to pursue a long-term federal bill before existing law expires at the end of this month -- had abandoned the fight.

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) said an extension of the 2005 transport legislation "is likely," according to the report. But Oberstar, who began his Capitol Hill career as a House aide 46 years ago, is not ready to accede to the White House position on delaying the next bill.

"Oberstar has not endorsed any kind of extension," spokesman Jim Berard told Streetsblog Capitol Hill. "The only extension I've heard him say he'd support at this point in time was a short-term extension, if we were making progress on a bill."

The political reality in Washington, where health care continues to dominate the agenda and few legislative days remain in September, does mean that an extension of some kind is very likely.

Still, Oberstar has not shied away from challenging the Obama administration on its push for an 18-month delay, and his strong standing with House leaders could leave him well-positioned to advocate for a shorter stopgap in the coming days.

Stay tuned...

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: The Problem With … ‘Friday Video’?!

The urbanism YouTube sphere is thriving — but who's getting the views?

August 22, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Reap What They Sow

Turns out, states that voted for the "Leopards Eating People's Faces Party" are getting their faces eaten by leopards.

August 22, 2025

Californians Continue to Love High-Speed Rail, Even if Republicans in Washington D.C. Don’t

High Speed Rail has only become a partisan in recent years. But under Trump, it's become hyper-partisan.

August 21, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Designing and Delivering Bike Networks

NACTO's Ryan Russo on the transformation of street systems and managing space for people and deliveries.

August 21, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Are Faster Than a Speeding Bullet Train

Amtrak lost a champion in Joe Biden just as new, more advanced trains are set to start running up and down the East Coast.

August 21, 2025
See all posts