WASHINGTON - This was supposed to be the week Congress does something it hasn't done in a decade: Send the president a bill that maps out the nation's highway-funding priorities for the next few years.
Instead, Congress did what it has done consistently: It bought itself more time. Lawmakers have extended the current highway bill, which expired on Friday, for another two weeks to keep federal funding flowing temporarily while they work to complete the new package. It was the 15th short-term extension since 2009.
Two Tennessee lawmakers involved in the discussions - U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen of Memphis and John J. Duncan Jr. of Knoxville - say they are confident Congress will get a bill to President Barack Obama, probably in early December.
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