Senators in for rare Sunday session in Washington to consider amendments to highway bill

WASHINGTON — It's a rare Sunday session for senators, and on the agenda are efforts to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law and revive the federal Export-Import Bank.

They're amendments to a must-pass highway bill that the Senate is trying to complete ahead of a July 31st deadline. If Congress doesn't act by then, states will lose money for highway and transit projects.

The health care repeal isn't expected to get the 60 votes needed to move forward. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he's bringing it to a vote because it's a long-sought Republican priority.

The Export-Import Bank probably will have enough votes to clear a procedural hurdle despite conservative opposition. The little-known federal agency underwrites loans to help foreign customers buy U.S. goods.

Meanwhile, as Congress considers the transportation funding bill, some governors aren't waiting to move to fix and build roads, bridges and highways.

And it's not just Democrats who are planning to borrow money or raise taxes for roads.

This year, GOP governors in Georgia, Iowa and South Dakota approved road tax increases.

Republican Gov. Nathan Deal approved a package in Georgia this year to raise $900 million from gas and hotel taxes to maintain roads and bridges.

North Carolina Republican Gov. Pat McCrory wants a referendum to borrow up to $2.8 billion, regardless of federal action.

The federal transportation bill would authorize programs for six years, but provides only enough to pay for programs for three years.