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Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy,

As Congress works to wrap up the 117th Congress, the undersigned organizations ask that the overwhelmingly bipartisan S. 5323 be brought up for a vote before the House adjourns for the year. This legislation allows states and localities additional flexibility to use American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for a range of transportation purposes.

The ARP law provided $350 billion in state and local government relief funds and $10 billion in capital improvement assistance. As states continue to recover from the fiscal setbacks due to the pandemic, new economic headwinds and rising costs have emerged. Currently, states and localities are only allowed to use a fraction of their ARP resources for highway, public transit, and other surface transportation projects. By passing S. 5323, the ARP funds can help mitigate state budget shortfalls and allow states and localities to address ongoing infrastructure needs that may have been sidelined during the pandemic.

This legislation passed the Senate Dec. 20 via a unanimous consent agreement, and a similar House companion bill has 165 bipartisan co-sponsors. The legislation would not increase costs to the federal government or the deficit and does not mandate state or local governments change plans or priorities.

We strongly support the consideration and passage of S. 5323 in the House as soon as possible. The overwhelmingly bipartisan ARP flexibility legislation would empower public entities to further enhance their economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sincerely,
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
National League of Cities
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
American Public Transportation Association
Associated General Contractors of America
National Association of Development Organizations
Associated Equipment Distributors
American Subcontractors Association
American Highway Users Alliance
Government Finance Officers Association
Design-Build Institute of America
National Association of Surety Bond Producers
National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association
American Traffic Safety Services Association
American Public Works Association
American Concrete Pipe Association
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Institute of Makers of Explosives
National Association of County Engineers
American Concrete Pavement Association
American Foundry Society
National Association of Regional Councils
Portland Cement Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Society of Civil Engineers
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Cc: All House of Representatives