Republican Committee leaders today introduced a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill that provides what they say are historic levels of investment in America’s roads, bridges, and core infrastructure to meet growing transportation needs.
The GOP-led Surface Transportation Advanced through Reform, Technology, & Efficient Review (STARTER) Act 2.0 provides more than $400 billion over five years–the largest percentage increase for these programs in the last quarter-century–for the federal highway, transit, and motor carrier and highway safety programs.
Reforms in the bill will also cut red tape to get meaningful transportation improvements completed in a timely manner, the committee says, making federal investment go farther by actually getting projects done with fewer delays. The legislation lays out key Republican principles for a much-needed bipartisan agreement to authorize these programs before October, and it’s based upon similar legislation introduced last year with input from Committee and House Members, the transportation community, and others.
“I strongly believe that the path to improving America’s infrastructure is through partnership – not partisanship. Republicans want to work together on bipartisan infrastructure solutions, but in order to reach that goal, key principles must be addressed in this process,” said ranking member Sam Graves (R-MO). “The STARTER Act 2.0 puts forward our Republican principles; provides historic levels of funding for our roads, bridges, and other surface transportation infrastructure; and ensures that we invest those funds wisely and efficiently.
Graves continued, “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. As the process for considering legislation on infrastructure moves forward, I am eager to see these proposals become part of a robust bipartisan effort–just as the President continues to call for.”
“Streamlining the federal permitting and environmental review process absolutely must be a part of an infrastructure package,” said Highways and Transit Subcommittee ranking member Rodney Davis (R-IL), a cosponsor of the bill. “That’s why the One Federal Decision Act is a key part of our House Republican infrastructure proposal, the STARTER Act 2.0. Cutting red tape that delays infrastructure project delivery will save taxpayer dollars and complete projects more quickly, while still protecting the environment. 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. It’s time that this important reform be considered as Congress and the White House continue infrastructure talks.”
“As the country opens back up, Americans will once again be commuting on crumbling roads, bridges, and highways that are in desperate need of repair. The STARTER Act 2.0 not only creates a safer and more efficient transportation system, but it also includes provisions like the AFFRM Act that take important steps to combat China’s economic aggression in the transportation industry. This legislation puts true transportation infrastructure first and prioritizes building a resilient transit system,” said Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee ranking member Rick Crawford (R-AR), a cosponsor of the bill.
Here are some of the bill's planks:
- Authorizes over $400 billion over five years–the largest percentage increase for surface transportation programs in the last quarter-century.
- Prioritizes proven programs that address core infrastructure functions–by improving our core system of highways and bridges, facilitating commerce, and focusing on safety and efficiency.
- Streamlines project delivery–by cutting red tape to reduce project delays and costs, putting federal dollars to work faster to improve our transportation system.
- Meets rural America’s infrastructure needs–by investing in small and rural communities, where 71 percent of public road mileage runs.
- Ensures flexibility for states and non-federal partners–by giving states more decision-making authority to meet their own unique infrastructure needs.
- Fosters transportation innovation and technology–helping to improve transportation efficiency, safety, resiliency, and the environment.
- Works to sustain the Highway Trust Fund (HTF)–by recognizing that continued reliance on fuel taxes is not a long-term solution to HTF solvency.
- Supports building more resilient infrastructure–because every $1 invested in mitigation and resiliency saves $4 to $11, reduces risk, and saves lives.
Democratic infrastructure plans have been criticized by some GOP members for straying from traditional infrastructure needs focused on roads, bridges, and other transit fundamentals and instead veering toward non-transportation related social programs.
Source: Rep. Sam Graves, Republican leader on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
