The Senate will accept a House bill to provide a three-month extension  of highway programs, as well as preventing a veterans funding shortfall.  

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday the Senate will take up the highway extension from the House that will run to Oct. 29. He also said the House will pass a long-term bill that will ultimately go to conference with the Senate’s long-term bill.  

And he confirmed a vote on defunding Planned Parenthood before recess.

Senate to Accept 3-Month Highway Bill

Earlier, a senior Republican aide pointed to a new statement from House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., about his chamber’s commitment to a longer-term plan.  

“The Senate’s work on their transportation bill is a positive step, but the House also needs to make its voice heard and put forth its own priorities for such a significant piece of legislation,” Shuster said. “I believe this three-month extension represents the compromise that allows the House more time, and a confirmation of our commitment to produce a fiscally responsible long-term proposal.”  

Still unresolved is if there will be an effort to provide an extension of the Export-Import Bank as part of the stopgap highway bill, though there appears to be no way forward for such a measure with the looming expiration of the transportation authorities and the House planning to skip town on Wednesday.  

The Senate is still expected to be in session next week to consider another piece of legislative business, perhaps a cybersecurity overhaul or a toxic substances bill. That’s in addition to an expected test vote on blocking federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

See photos, follies, HOH Hits and Misses and more at Roll Call’s new video site. Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.