Chairman Mica Optimistic on Transportation Reauthorization

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) said this week in several public statements that his committee will produce a transportation reauthorization bill of $285 billion over six years and that he expects the House to pass the legislation before the latest authorization extension expires in March. He pointed out that there is growing sentiment within the House that the transportation legislation is an important part of an economic recovery and jobs package. AGC and our transportation and construction industry allies are working with Representatives Reid Ribble (R-Wisc.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) to encourage other representatives to sign a letter to Republican leaders highlighting support for transportation investment as necessary for economic growth and urging action on a multiyear transportation bill. The letter is being circulated among Republicans in the House and has about 50 signatures so far. The Bipartisan leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced last week that the committee will markup a two-year surface transportation bill on Wednesday, November 9. The legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), is expected to maintain spending at current levels plus inflation, greatly increases leveraging of federal dollars, and reforms the programs’ administration. For more information, please contact Brian Deery at (703) 837-5319 or deeryb@agc.org.