House Transportation Bill Would Spend Nearly $270-Billion

House Republicans are proposing to spend nearly $270 billion over the next 4 1/2 years on transportation programs as a way to preserve jobs.

Transportation experts say that's enough money to prevent the nation's roads, bridges and transit systems from falling further into disrepair, but not enough to reduce the backlog of needed work on transportation infrastructure.

GOP leaders are expected to introduce the bill on Tuesday. The House Transportation Committee is poised to approve the measure at a meeting on Thursday.

A separate committee will decide how to pay for the measure. GOP leaders have said they plan to use revenue from expanded oil and gas drilling, but haven't provided details.

The Senate is working on its own bill, which would spend $109 billion over two years.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)