Capitol Hill negotiations on a sweeping surface transportation bill are at a boil as lawmakers seek a deal imminently — a possibility that seemed remote not long ago.

“Both sides are continuing to work towards a deal and they're close, but we don't expect to be able to announce anything tonight,” said a Senate Democratic leadership aide.

House and Senate negotiators are trying to craft a bill before the current funding authorization expires June 30.

“Yesterday I would have said no chance of getting it done. Today I would say [there’s a] chance of getting it done,” said Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), a member of the House-Senate negotiating group, who said there has been “give on both sides.”

“I now for the first time think that we have a good chance of getting a bill,” he said in the Capitol Monday evening.

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

E2 Wire is The Hill's Energy and Environment Blog.