Congress is facing a difficult task of trying to pass a long term highway bill before the end of the month. That job got more difficult this past week when Kansas Senator Pat Roberts attached an unrelated amendment to the highway bill with a COOL repeal amendment. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says Congress needs to focus on a single highway bill.

Steenhoek says while the Senate wants a long term highway bill measure, the House is focusing on a short term fix. He says both bodies need to just pass an increase in the fuel tax to pay for it and quit kicking the can down the road with short term solutions.

Steenhoek says the highway bill which expires at the end of July is a critical measure for farmers and ranchers who need solid legislation passed that allows them to get their commodities to market.