FY25 Transportation Bill on House Agenda
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WASHINGTON — Legislation that would fund operations at the U.S. Department of Transportation in fiscal 2025 will be considered by a House committee next month.
The leadership of the Appropriations panel scheduled the transportation funding measure’s subcommittee consideration for June 27. The bill’s full committee markup will be held July 10.
“We are moving forward on our Article I [constitutional] obligations. In the face of an aggressive schedule and fiscal constraints, we will demonstrate responsible governance and safeguard hard-earned tax dollars,” Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said May 16. “The bills written by this committee will adhere to law set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act — with no side deals — and focus resources where they are needed most.
“Our [fiscal year 2025] process will reflect our commitment to strengthening our national defense, supporting the safety and security of the American people, and reining in government to its core mission.”
Specific to the top line for transportation agencies, the panel is proposing $90.8 billion for nondefense programs. The proposal would include operations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as related agencies.
Womack
Committee leaders are aiming for the transportation measure to gain bipartisan backing during its consideration. At a hearing with Secretary Pete Buttigieg last month, Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) indicated, “I know our work on this subcommittee impacts the safety, economic opportunity and quality of life of every American, a duty I take seriously.”
Womack, chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, added, “Even as we work to rein in excessive spending, let me assure you that safety will remain a top priority for this subcommittee as we prepare our 2025 bill. From the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse to the East Palestine train derailment, to the close calls happening far too often at our airports, you can see the importance of safe transportation systems. We will continue to provide appropriate levels of support to DOT programs that ensure the safety of our skies, roads and railroads.”
Murray
On the other side of the Capitol, senators have yet to schedule consideration of their fiscal 2025 appropriations measures. This month, the Senate panels have hosted hearings with high-level administration officials, such as Buttigieg.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) expressed optimism about her legislative assignments to ensure funding for the federal landscape.
“There’s no question that [fiscal year 2025] is going to be even tougher than last year, but I am absolutely committed to working again, in a bipartisan way, to make sure we address the challenges we face — for defense and nondefense alike.”
Buttigieg
Buttigieg defended the White House’s budget request for DOT during a May 2 hearing of the Senate transportation subcommittee. He also touted the department’s recent record, saying, “We have delivered safer, stronger transportation across every mode, across the country. Roadway fatalities are at last trending downwards, shipping costs are down as supply chains are running more smoothly, and airline cancellations last year were the lowest in a decade.”
He continued, “As you all know, we still have much more to do. We’re rebuilding not just from the pandemic, but from decades of disinvestment and an enforcement environment that for too long privileged corporations instead of protecting people.”
For the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the White House is requesting $964.5 million; for the Federal Highway Administration $62.8 billion; for the Federal Transit Administration $16.8 billion; for the Federal Railroad Administration $3.2 billion; and for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration $1.2 billion.
Congress must clear the new fiscal year bills before Oct. 1 to avert a partial shutdown.
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