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Dear Speaker Pelosi, and Leaders Schumer, McCarthy, and McConnell:

As Congress returns to session, we urge immediate consideration and passage of H.R. 4373, which would provide additional support for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. The legislation also includes S. 3011/H.R. 5735, a measure to provide greater flexibility to American Rescue Plan (ARP) state and local resources. The ARP law provided $350 billion in relief funds and $10 billion in capital improvement assistance, which was critical to state and local governments managing pandemic-induced budget shortfalls. However, as the nation enters the next chapter of the pandemic, the ARP funds lack the flexibility necessary for states and localities to address ongoing transportation needs.

State and local transportation capital budgets were hit especially hard by the pandemic, as changes in travel patterns caused user-based revenue sources to dwindle. Many projects were delayed or canceled. However, current law caps states and localities at using a fraction of their ARP funding for highway, public transit, and other surface transportation projects.

S. 3011 would amend the ARP to allow states and localities to use a greater portion of these resources for these critical improvements. The legislation has already passed the Senate once via a unanimous consent agreement, and an identical House version, H.R. 5735, has over 150 bipartisan co-sponsors. The measure would not increase costs to the federal government or the deficit and does not mandate state or local governments change plans or priorities.

We support the inclusion of S. 3011/H.R. 5735 in H.R. 4373 and urge swift passage of the bill. The overwhelmingly bipartisan ARP flexibility legislation would empower public entities to use every resource to enhance 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
National Asphalt Pavement Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce