A coalition of 42 organizations recently sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders urging Congress to consider legislation reauthorizing federal surface transportation programs.
The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) expires Sept. 30, but Congress has yet to pass a replacement.
Last year, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee advanced the America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act (ATIA). The bill would re-authorize the Federal-aid Highway Program for five years at record investment levels, provide states with the funding, and deliver projects faster.
Other committees also are developing proposals for re-authorizing the remaining federal surface transportation programs and providing revenue to support these important programs.
President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass ATIA during his State of the Union address.
“This show of broad, bipartisan cooperation speaks not only to the merits of moving forward with such legislation but also to its prospects for passage and popularity with the electorate,” the letter said. “History has demonstrated that delaying action on such legislation leads to two negative outcomes: stifling economic development and construction workers not on job sites.”
The organizations, which include American Highway Users Alliance, the National Steel Bridge Alliance, and the Auto Care Association, requestbipartisan action to pass ATIA as soon as possible.