Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Testifies Lays Out Bold Vision for Infrastructure Investment

On March 16, bipartisan members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the AGC- supported Water Quality Protection and Jobs Creation Act of 2021 (HR 1915). The bill would substantially increase federal funding assistance available to states and localities through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).

PRO ACT—The Greatest Threat to Union & Open Shop Construction

On March 16, AGC met with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack. Prior to joining FHWA, Pollack served as the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. This introductory meeting provided AGC an opportunity to discuss mutual priorities between the association and agency, including addressing challenges facing the surface transportation system, construction workforce and diversity and inclusion in the industry. AGC looks forward to further meetings and continuing the conversation on how to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure with other leaders of the Department of Transportation.

Short Answer: It’s Not Clear

House Democrats unveiled their long-awaited plan to revive earmarks – or “congressionally directed spending” as they are rebranded. The plan would allow members of Congress to direct money in the annual spending bills that would benefit specific projects in their district. The ban on this practice had resulted in this spending authority being ceded to the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) through discretionary grants. Following that announcement, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio noted that earmarks would be included in the upcoming surface transportation bill and that additional details would be coming later this month. The Senate is separately working out a plan to restore earmarks however the path forward is less clear. AGC will continue to track this issue as further details are released.

Includes Significant Funding for Infrastructure with New Federal Strings Attached

On February 27, the U.S. House passed President Biden’s $1.9T COVID-relief bill by a 219-212 vote, mostly along party lines. The measure is now soon to be considered by the Senate. On the infrastructure front, the package would provide: $30 billion to public transit programs, $8 billion to airports and $1.5 billion to Amtrak. The vast majority of those funds would go to maintaining existing operations, not capital construction. The measure would also provide $350 billion for state and local governments.

Carper Reiterates Memorial Day Goal for Committee Passage of Bill

Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements, Local Hire Mandates and More