1.   Congress is working feverishly to pass the bill.

2.   Congressman Ashley from Toledo, Ohio, originally opposed including the counties but eventually shifted his position to get the bill passed.

3.   He said he hoped a new highway bill could be passed by Easter.

4.   Lawmakers passed the bill after defeating two amendments that would have gutted it.

5.   The bill was passed by Parliament last May.

6.   The bill was passed over the objections of many Democrats.

7.   The House passed the bill, but the Senate threw it out.

8.   The White House persisted in its efforts to pass the bill, despite the opposition of Congress.

9.   Republicans have put down so many amendments that it is unlikely that the bill will be passed in this session of Congress.