U.S. House and Senate pass long-term highway bills
Contact your Congressional representatives and tell them to support a long-term bill! Send your message via AGC of America’s Hardhats for Highways website!
Congressman Rick Larsen, of the 2nd Congressional District in Washington State, has been named to the conference committee that has begun negotiations on resolving the differences between the two chambers’ long-term highway and transit bills. However, with funding levels and duration yet to be agreed upon, negotiations are off to a slow start, which could result in yet another short-term extension if Congress does not reach a deal by November 20.
AGC of America – with the help of many AGC of Washington members – has been a leader in the reauthorization process and advocated for the construction industry’s priorities in a letter to all conferees, detailing which provisions and policies should be included in a final transportation bill.
The House bill included additional revenue that could potentially be used to fully fund either a five-year bill at levels above the Senate-passed DRIVE Act or a six-year bill at flat funding levels equal to what the House-passed STRRA included. AGC joined other transportation stakeholders in sending a letter to House and Senate leaders and the conferees asking for a shorter authorization and increased funding levels.
At press time, no decision had been made on how Congressional leaders plan on using the additional revenue from the House provision.
AGC will continue to work with Congressional leaders and conferees to ensure that the final transportation bill provides increased funding levels and includes policies and priorities important to the construction industry.
For more information, please contact Sean O’Neill of AGC of America at oneills@agc.org or 202.547.8892.