There remains little agreement on how and when to proceed with the full transportation reauthorization. Senate transportation leaders continue to work towards a six-month extension before a final multi-year reauthorization is produced, while some House transportation leaders hope to reach agreement on a longer extension of SAFETEA-LU. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair James Oberstar remains committed to immediate action on the full reauthorization. The White House has previously voiced their preference for an 18-month extension.

It is not uncommon for Congress to pass multiple extensions before a full reauthorization is enacted. Before SAFETEA-LU was ultimately approved, the previous authorization was extended six times.