LaHood defends road beautification ahead of Senate funding vote

{mosads}A showdown last month over such spending nearly put the brakes on an extension of highway funding through March of next year. At the time, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) placed a hold on a bill that contained the extension, as well a continuation of aviation funding, that was only released after a vote on amendments produced by Coburn and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

The amendments failed, and the larger transportation bill was approved on a 92-6 vote.

For his part, LaHood said Wednesday that the Obama administration would “continue to invest in walking paths, biking paths and other forms of transportation.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has scheduled a vote on McCain’s amendment Wednesday.