Bush signs $286 billion highway bill News
Bush signs $286 billion highway bill

[JURIST] President Bush signed a 6-year, $286.4 billion highway bill on Wednesday, ending a long debate between Congress and the White House and putting into place a permanent highway bill for the first time since September 2003. The old bill was extended six times as both sides debated spending amounts and special projects; the Senate originally approved $295 billion [JURIST report] while the House approved $284 billion [JURIST report], an amount approved by the White House but $30 billion more than President Bush initially recommended. Upon signing the Transportation Equity Act [PDF text], President Bush said the legislation not only will upgrade the country's highway infrastructure but will also include important safety provisions. Read the full text of Bush's remarks. AP has more.