The Highway Trust Fund expires May 31, so time is running out for Congress to pass an extension to fund road and bridge projects. At the same time, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says the Senate needs to consider infrastructure funding before dealing with Trade Promotion Authority.

Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says it’s critical Congress doesn’t get bogged down by politics on this measure.

Steenhoek also says if Congress stalls on this issue and pushes it into 2016, it then becomes tied up in the politics of a Presidential election year.  He says while the level of funding in an infrastructure bill is important, the predictability of funding is even more key for state’s planning their projects.

Congress is considering an increase in the gas tax to provide funding. However, Steenhoek says they would like to see it indexed to inflation. That provides a more reliable funding source.