A House committee approved a five-year surface transportation bill late Thursday, concluding a grueling 14-hour legislative mark-up session that sets up a potential $250 billion investment in the nation's roads, bridges, and transit systems ahead of a fall deadline.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted just before midnight to advance the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act).
"We are celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation and the infrastructure that has helped form it, and this bill is about building the infrastructure we need for America’s future," said Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., adding that the bill would reduce construction delays, grant states more flexibility, and safely integrate self-driving commercial trucks into the national highway system.
The legislation aims to modernize U.S. transit networks while introducing the first-ever federal framework for autonomous commercial trucks. It also injects the Highway Trust Fund with its first new revenue stream in more than 30 years.
Lawmakers are racing against the clock to pass the legislation before current transportation funding expires Sept. 30.
The bill's sponsors emphasized that the package targets freight efficiency and passenger rail reforms, alongside historic funding allocations specifically earmarked for bridge repairs.
Washington Rep. Rick Larsen, the committee's top Democrat, praised the bipartisan effort and noted the economic impacts of the proposed funding.
"You can’t have a big-league economy with little-league infrastructure," Larsen said. "The BUILD America 250 Act will create good-paying jobs while restoring aging bridges, repairing crumbling roads, and supporting safe, accessible rail, transit, and bike infrastructure."
The bill now heads to the full House floor for consideration. Graves said he hopes to move the legislation quickly through the House before beginning negotiations with the Senate.
Road, bridge and infrastructure repairs aside, the proposed highway bill is loaded with trucking-specific initiatives, including
- Establishing new public-truck-parking grant program.
- Increasing oversight of predatory lease-purchase agreements.
- Extending Principal Place of Business requirements to brokers and other registered entities, with penalties.
- Requiring cabotage research and accountability.
- Cementing a cargo-theft task force and boost enforcement around electronic logging device certification.
