Update from Matt Reiffer, ACEC VP of Infrastructure 

Yesterday the House of Representatives passed the “Continuing Resolution” (CR) that would extend government funding through December 11. The bill also includes an extension of expiring highway and transit programs to give Congress more time to advance a long-term transportation reauthorization bill.

The House vote was 370-48. The Senate cleared the bill 90-6 back in early August. Fact Sheet

The CR averts a government shutdown at the start of the federal fiscal year on October 1 and kicks the spending debates into the post-election lame duck session of Congress. The surface transportation extension prevents a lapse in reimbursements for state departments of transportation and transit agencies for on-going project expenditures.

Unfortunately, as noted in our previous update, the CR does not extend the $36.8 billion in annual advance supplemental appropriations for certain transportation accounts that were a key feature of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The attached fact sheet includes a breakdown of the IIJA accounts that are not included in the CR, including the state-by-state impact. Approximately 30% of the $36.8 billion goes out by formula and approximately 70% goes out through competitive discretionary grants. It includes supplemental funding for bridges, EV charging infrastructure, transit capital improvements, rail programs, ports, and airports.

ACEC and our coalition allies have been reaching out to lawmakers to make the case for restoring/maintaining these funds. That effort is generating bipartisan interest and support – for example, the co-chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus sent a letter to House leaders highlighting their support for restoring these funds.

In terms of action on a long-term reauthorization bill, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves put out a statement yesterday that “Passing a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill before the end of this Congress remains a top priority for me and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. … and I look forward to moving this bill through the legislative process and working with the Senate to complete a long-term bill that invests in America’s roads, bridges, and other surface infrastructure, cuts red tape in the project process, and ensures that states have the certainty and flexibility to carry out the projects most critical to them.”

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Majority Whip Tom Emmer have both made comments in recent days that the surface transportation bill is on the list of remaining priorities for the House this year, so that is encouraging as well.

 

ACEC Ohio Transportation Committee Meeting Reminder: