The House of Representatives Tuesday night passed a stopgap funding measure that will keep the federal government fully operating beyond next Wednesday (Sept. 30). The measure included a one-year extension of the current federal highway bill that would have expired the same day.

On Monday, House Democrats offered a Continuing Resolution to extend the highway fund by one year with $10.4 billion. If approved by the Senate, the extension would be a “straight” extension of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, better known as the FAST Act, meaning no increase in funding to existing programs. The proposal also would include funds needed to ensure the short-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), with a general fund transfer of $10.4 billion to the HTF, allocated for highways.

The Senate is expected to vote next week ahead of the deadline.

ATSSA’s annual Convention & Traffic Expo will go fully virtual for 2021.

“It’s vital to stay connected as we continue the critical work of advancing roadway safety. Our team is planning an industry-leading virtual event that will be timely, engaging and highlight the latest products, services, trends and education during the 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo,” ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner said. “Our work is essential and the value of this type of collaboration cannot be overstated as we work Toward Zero Deaths.”

Dates for the 2021 Convention & Traffic Expo have adjusted for the virtual format to provide all of the elements that make this the premier event of the roadway safety industry. It will be held in February over a two-week period to make it convenient and readily accessible for everyone.

Democrats in the House of Representatives today proposed a Continuing Resolution that includes a one-year extension of the current federal highway bill.

The resolution is aimed at avoiding a federal government shutdown but included the highway bill, which is scheduled to expire on Sept. 30. The federal government shutdown could come in nine days without action. The proposal would fund the government through Dec. 11.

If approved, the resolution would ensure that current transportation programs would not lapse on their expiration date of Oct. 1.

ATSSA’s annual Legislative Briefing & Fly-In wrapped up its first virtual event on Wednesday with a day full of meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill and their respective staffs.

Meetings ran from morning to evening as ATSSA members from across the country had the opportunity to deliver firsthand their priorities for the roadway safety infrastructure industry.

ATSSA’s Government Relations Team set up 54 meetings with legislative offices representing districts in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

ATSSA members heard from three members of Congress and a U.S. Senator today during the first day of the Association’s two-day Legislative Briefing & Fly-In.

This year’s event was handled via virtual format with nearly 70 people taking part from across the country. Two members of Congress spoke from their Capitol Hill offices.

On Wednesday, ATSSA members are scheduled for 54 meetings with federal legislators or their staff members.