By Lindsey McPherson and Thomas McKinless

Once the House passes its version of a six-year highway bill and a conference with the Senate is formed, negotiators could resolve their differences in a matter of a few hours, Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman James M. Inhofe said in a speech on the Senate floor Monday. The House is scheduled to vote this week to extend the current authorization through Nov. 20 to buy more time for the conference.