WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House has passed a bill to temporarily shore up funding for transportation programs and prevent a shutdown in highway and transit aid to states at the end of this month.
The legislation passed by a 312-119 vote on Wednesday.
Senate Republicans have been trying to cobble together a longer-term bill that could provide transportation money for several years.
The House bill would funnel $8 billion to keep transportation going through December 18 while lawmakers work on a long-term bill.
Congress has been under pressure to act quickly.
Authority for transportation programs was set to expire on July 31 and the balance in the federal Highway Trust Fund has been forecast to drop below $4 billion, the minimum cushion needed to keep money to flowing to states without interruption.
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