Washington, D.C.?EUR??,,????'??+The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved a five-month extension of federal highway and mass transit programs on Sept. 23, 2003. The House, while expected to mimic the Senate?EUR??,,????'???s action, still needs to enact a short-term extension to avoid a shutdown of the Federal Highway Administration and construction projects around the country. TEA-21 is set to expire on September 30, 2003. ?EUR??,,????'??An extension is critical to keep the ?EUR??,,????'??lights on?EUR??,,????'??? at the Federal Highway Administration and to keep highway construction from coming to a screeching halt, said Stephen Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). ?EUR??,,????'??Once Congress passes an extension, they need to immediately turn their sights on enacting a comprehensive surface transportation bill that will bolster our economy, protect and create good-paying jobs, and improve our roads and bridges.?EUR??,,????'?? The House will consider H.R. 3087, a five-month extension of the TEA-21 bill, which provides federal funds for highways and public transit. The immediate concern for passing a short-term extension is to allow state and local governments to plan for the next construction season. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is working to fund the TEA-21 reauthorization at $375 billion over six years. Such a program would create millions of jobs, rebuild the nation?EUR??,,????'???s roads, bridges, and mass transit. The investment in highways and mass transit would create an estimated 1.3 million jobs.