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WASHINGTON — As a Senate panel prepares to consider a long-term highway bill, House transportation leaders are signaling support for a short-term funding fix.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Executives from four of the largest U.S. transportation companies last week directed a clear message at federal lawmakers: Do what’s needed to support infrastructure improvements now or risk real damage to the economy and competitiveness down the road.

WASHINGTON — Days after Senate transportation leaders said they would take up a long-term highway bill, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx reminded a group here that many states would be forced to scale back projects if Congress does not advance such a plan before a May deadline.

States are delaying or canceling transportation projects for the second consecutive year while the construction season continues to be plagued with uncertainty over whether Congress will replenish the Highway Trust Fund.

Local governments would be able to access more federal funds under a bipartisan bill unveiled this week in the Senate.

Two hundred fifty Chamber of Commerce executives from across the country wrote to Congress asking it to address the near insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund by passing a long-term transportation bill.

WASHINGTON — A multiyear highway bill would need to include outside-the-box funding proposals for a broad coalition in Congress to support it this year, Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), a top transportation authorizer in the House, said Feb. 24.