The Senate continues to negotiate on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and the Surface Transportation Authorization bill. Although the bipartisan group of 22 Senators has resolved many issues, neither the bipartisan group nor Senate Banking Committee leaders has reached agreement on public transit authorization issues. The primary difference is the share of guaranteed funding from the Highway Trust Fund that public transit should receive (compared to highways). Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is insisting that public transit receive at least 20 percent of guaranteed funding from the Highway Trust Fund in the public transit authorization title, which may be attached to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. Conversely, Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Patrick J. Toomey (R-PA) is reported to be proposing no increase in the public transit share of guaranteed funding. With negotiations ongoing through the weekend, it is critically important to urge your Senators to provide public transit with at least 20 percent of guaranteed funding from the Highway Trust Fund in the Surface Transportation Authorization bill. |
CALL TO ACTION Please contact your Senators and urge them to provide public transit with at least 20 percent of guaranteed funding from the Highway Trust Fund in the Surface Transportation Authorization bill. To contact your Senators, please call 202.224.3121. To view APTA’s Talking Points, please click here. |