Forging a Path Forward on the Highway Bill
(July 1, 2020) - On June 18, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a five-year, $494 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill entitled the "Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act" or the "INVEST in America Act," on a 35 to 25 party-line vote. The markup of the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 2, formerly H.R. 7095, the "INVEST Act," lasted for 24 hours and stretched over two days. The structure of the bill remained intact. It is a five-year authorization. It includes increases in funding faster than the rate of inflation. But the rates of increase for transit and rail programs are faster than for the highway program.
On June 18, Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) held a press conference to announce the "Moving America Act" a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package, which focuses on green initiatives and climate resiliency. The package will include the INVEST Act among many other priorities such as clean drinking water, wastewater, clean energy, healthcare, broadband investment, rebuilding our schools, and postal service legislation. Additionally, the Trump Administration is considering releasing their $810 billion (ten-year) surface transportation reauthorization bill. The bill is expected to reflect their budget from February. Stay tuned for breaking developments.
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