What happened: Top House Republicans support increasing investment in roads while holding federal public transportation investment flat at current levels, according to a five-year surface transportation bill introduced May 19. The legislation would increase investment for federal highway programs by 32 percent and would attempt to expedite project delivery through new streamlining provisions. Other notable provisions in the bill include:
- Potentially waving the traditional state match for federal aid highway projects by giving the U.S. Secretary of Transportation the authority to increase the federal cost-share to 100 percent through Fiscal Year 2023.
- Establishing a new program and modifies several existing programs to promote infrastructure resilience.
- Setting a goal of two years to issue a record of decision under the National Environmental Permitting Act.
- Lifting the cap on Private Activity Bonds from $15 billion to $45 billion.
- Establishing a national pilot program for a vehicle miles traveled road usage charge.
Why it matters: Last Congress, House Republicans wanted to maintain, rather than increase, funding levels for both highway and transit programs. Proposing increased investment levels for roads is a recognition of the continuous underinvestment at the federal level. However, holding public transportation investment static at FY 2021 levels is a point of contention with Democrats and Republicans that support growing federal mass transit investment.
What’s next: The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Democrats announced they would not be marking up a new surface transportation bill until June, pushing back their prior timeline by a few weeks. As of May 19, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee still intends to vote on its transportation bill the week of May 24.
