Senate Panel to Consider Highway Policy Bill May 26
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
The Democratic leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee scheduled consideration of comprehensive highway policy legislation for May 26.
The Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021, sponsored by committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), would propose about $300 billion for programs pertaining to highways and bridges as part of an update of the 2015 FAST Act highway law. That law expires at the end of September.
“I’m proud to join with my colleagues in crafting a bipartisan bill that invests in our nation’s transportation infrastructure at a historic high level, and in doing so, helps create jobs, curbs our carbon emissions and expands opportunities for the American people,” Carper said. “We must reauthorize the surface transportation [law] before its current authorization expires in September.”
Mulero
“Safe and reliable infrastructure is something every American can get behind,” added committee ranking member Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a co-sponsor. “From the beginning of this process, I have expressed my desire to work together across the aisle to develop a bipartisan solution to address our nation’s infrastructure challenges.”
Trucking provisions of note tucked in the bill include a program designed to reduce idling and emissions at port facilities. Specifically, it would require the transportation secretary to examine how ports would benefit from electrification, and to study technologies that would reduce emissions from idling trucks. The bill also would propose enhancing severe-weather-resilience strategies as part of a national freight strategic plan, and it would establish a pilot program meant to evaluate a nationwide vehicle-miles-traveled fee.
Policy pertaining to commerce, transit and highway funding falls under the jurisdiction of different committees in the Senate. On the House side, the leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has yet to schedule consideration of its version.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act by Transport Topics on Scribd
The Week Ahead (all times Eastern)
May 25, 11:30 a.m.: The House Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee meets for a hearing titled, “The CLEAN Future Act and Drinking Water: Legislation to Ensure Drinking Water is Safe and Clean.”
May 25, 3 p.m.: The Senate Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion Subcommittee meets for a hearing about tourism and the hospitality industry.
May 26, 9:45 a.m.: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee considers a highway policy bill.
May 26, 2 p.m.: The Senate Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee meets to review the fiscal 2022 funding request for the U.S. Department of Commerce.
May 27, 10 a.m.: The House Appropriations Committee meets for a hearing to consider requests from members of Congress.
Freight Corridor
This week in UFO phenomena.
Legislative Docket
Graves
Legislation that would authorize $400 billion over five years for surface transportation programs was unveiled by Republican policymakers in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 19. The Surface Transportation Advanced Through Reform, Technology and Efficient Review (STARTER) Act 2.0 would update a 2015 highway law that expires at the end of September.
“Our bill focuses on the core infrastructure that helps move people and goods through our communities every single day, cuts red tape that holds up project construction, and gets resources into the hands of our states and locals with as few strings attached as possible,” said Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member.
Buzz
An ongoing review of earmarks is happening at the U.S. House of Representatives, per sources.
Favorite Video
And the beat goes on.
Favorite Tweet
When art imitates life.
Capitol Ink | Breaking bridge https://t.co/FBSQWrmjA7 — John D. Boyd (@jboyd_DC) May 20, 2021
The Last Word
Reforming the permitting and environmental review process has received bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate, and endorsements from business and labor groups and trade associations.
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), on May 19.
We publish weekly when Congress is in session. E-mail emulero@ttnews.com with tips. Follow us @eugenemulero and @transporttopics.
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing below or go here for more info:
