U.S. House and Senate members covering transportation hope to firm up a TEA-21 reauthorization plan by February 29, but anticipate that another short-term extension will be needed to keep federal highway, bridge and transit programs operating. The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century expired Sept. 30, although funding at approximately the 2003 level ($31 billion) was maintained for five months as a result of measure Congress passed in October. A six-year reauthorization plan will be crafted around proposals from the House ($375 billion), Senate ($311 billion) and the White House ($247 billion).