Rob Perks, Transportation Advocacy Director, Washington, D.C.

Congress has returned from recess but the GOP leaders in the House aren't taking a break from bad ideas.

Rather than heed calls to pass the bi-partisan Senate bill that will create jobs by funding the needed fixing of our nation's roads, rails and bridges, Republicans in the House are resorting to legislative shenanigans in order to score political points and please Big Oil.

Once again, they are pushing to add a "poision pill" -- the controversial Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline -- to the House transportation legislation. They did this before, and trying to lard up their legislation with partisan measures is a big part what doomed their previous effort (H.R. 7) -- otherwise known as the worst transportation bill ever.

Now, House GOP leaders have a new ploy: Pass another 90-day transportation extension with language approving the Keystone pipeline. In doing so they hope to force a conference with the Senate and put Democrats on the spot following their myriad calls for passage of the Senate transportation bill (MAP-21). This cynical "bait and switch" to enact yet another temporary extension -- for the tenth time! -- could be voted on by the full House this Wednesday.

A few months ago, when the ...

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