Senate fends off move to kill highway bill

“I am a very strong believer in a highway bill but I also believe we should have integrity as it relates to this issue of spending,” said Corker. “We are making a mockery of what happened [during the BCA negotiations] if we wave this point of order.”

Floor manager for the highway bill, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), however, said the legislation is revenue-neutral, and pointed out that a vote for Corker’s point of order would undo hours of votes on amendments senators took on Thursday afternoon. 

“If we don’t get this vote this bill dies today,” said Boxer. “We must wave the budget act in order to continue working on this bill. All the work we did today and 2.8 million jobs hang in the balance.”