The U.S. House of Representatives have approved legislation to fund federal transportation in 2023.
The legislation passed on July 20th, bringing back infrastructure grants, safety initiatives, and operational expenses throughout the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
The biggest take away was the bill dedicating $90.9 billion in funds to other federal agencies and operations in 2023.
“As hardworking Americans struggle with rising costs of living, high taxes and stagnant wages, House Democrats and the Appropriations committee are once again supporting families all over America by lowering the cost of living, creating American jobs, lifting up working families, and supporting small businesses,” said Rosa DeLauro, Appropriations Committee Chairwoman. “Instead of catering to the biggest corporations and the wealthy, our funding bills provide the critical funding America needs. At the same time, we tackle some of our nation’s biggest challenges by combating climate change, bolstering mental health services, supporting our veterans, and building safer communities with less crime and violence and more security.”
“The bill upholds the commitment to respond to transportation needs across all modes, including highways, transit, rail, aviation, bike and pedestrian projects, and ports,” said Rep. David Price, chairman of the House transportation funding subcommittee.
“The bill also provides robust funding for our transit infrastructure, including $3 billion for capital investment grants to create new transit routes nationwide and $646 million for transit infrastructure grants to help transit agencies innovate and improve public transit,” Price noted.
The appropriations bill would dedicate $367.5 million for safety operations and programs for the functions at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The bill would provide $506.1 million for the agency’s safety grants. The House funding levels for FMCSA match President Joe Biden’s request for fiscal 2023.
The transportation legislation would also provide $61.3 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, $18.7 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, $17.5 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, $3.8 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration and $1.2 billion for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In regard to trucking policy, lawmakers approved a provision to deny funding for the enforcement of an electronic logging device rule pertaining to transporters of livestock and insects. House lawmakers also called on FMCSA to complete an annual hours-of-service safety data analysis and provide an update on the implementation of a workforce apprenticeship program for truck drivers under 21 to operate interstate.
Lawmakers also are asking FMCSA for updates to a large truck study as well as details about their information technology operations.
While the House bill advanced to the Senate, funding leaders on the other side of Capitol Hill have yet to schedule votes on their companion legislation. Federal funding authority expires Oct. 1. The fiscal 2023 bills are instrumental for averting a shutdown of certain operations at USDOT and other departments.
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Source: USDOT
