The Iran nuclear deal is not the only thing on lawmakers minds in Washington D.C. as Congress’ August recess approaches
A number of other issues are on the table, including transportation funding and a rewrite of the No Child Left Behind education law.
The federal highway funding runs out July 31st.
A bill to beat that deadline passed the House last week. It would provide an immediate short-term funding fix while Congress works out a plan to put funding in place for six years by December.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware) says that long-term plan – which would tax corporations’ foreign earnings at around 14 percent rather than the current 35 percent top rate – could raise around 2 trillion dollars. He says is willing to support that.
“A lot of money for the next six years. It doesn’t solve the problem forever, but it’s a huge shot in the arm," said Carper. "I would provide job opportunities for probably about a million people and grow our GDP.”
Carper notes the plan may face a roadblock in the Senate from Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell – who wants to pass a six-year funding plan before July 31st using a combination of spending cuts, fee increases and tax enforcement measures.
Carper says McConnell’s plan would only cover about 3 years of highway funding.
On the education front, The House and Senate passed competing versions of legislation to revamp No Child Left Behind last week that need to be reconciled – and neither has support for the Obama Administration.
But Sen. Tom Carper is optimistic things are headed in the right direction.
“I think a lot of progress was made over the course of the last several months," said Carper. "The federal government can’t do it all, but we can do a lot. We can be a good partner.”
Carper says Senate bill helps where the federal government can in leveling the playing field for all students and getting string teachers and school leaders in school that need them most.
Carper adds he continues to support setting strong standards nationwide and having some testing to measure progress – though he expects there will be less testing overall going forward.
