Urge Congress to Restore Public Transportation Funding and Continue to Block Proposed Grant Rule
Urgent Action Needed
Join APTA’s Advocacy Campaign Now
On September 2, 2026, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (P.L. 119-103) into law. This Continuing Resolution (CR) funds the Federal Government and provides a short-term Surface Transportation Authorization extension through December 11, 2026. In addition, it blocks a proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Federal Grant Management for the duration of the CR.
The CR does not include “advance appropriations”, a form of guaranteed funding provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), resulting in a 20 percent (-$4.2 billion) cut to public transit investment and an 81 percent (-$12.9 billion) cut to passenger rail investment from Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 levels.
APTA strongly encourages you to urge your Representatives and Senators to restore public transit and passenger rail funding to FY 2026 enacted levels in any subsequent authorization extensions.
Join APTA’s Email Advocacy Campaign
We ask you to join APTA’s email advocacy campaign. APTA is focusing its advocacy efforts on urging Congress to provide at least $21.1 billion for public transit and $15.9 billion for passenger rail.
For every $1 invested in public transportation, $5 is generated in long-term economic returns. Moreover, 77 percent of Federal public transportation investment flows to the private sector.
Cuts in Federal investment in public transportation disrupt and delay projects across the nation and inject uncertainty into future State and local investment decisions. The funding cuts also hurt public transit agencies’ efforts to address the more than $150 billion state-of-good-repair backlog.
To date, APTA members have sent more than 500 email letters to Members of Congress. If you have not yet contacted your Representatives and Senators, please visit the APTA Advocacy Campaign Action Center to send a pre-written APTA message.
View APTA Talking Points on Transportation Appropriations and Extension Act.
OMB Proposed Rule on Federal Grant Management
The CR also includes a provision that temporarily blocks implementation of a proposed regulation of great concern to APTA members and Federal grantees generally. APTA supports this provision in the CR, and if the proposed rule is not withdrawn, we urge Congress to permanently block OMB from implementing the Proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance.
On May 29, OMB issued a proposed rule to change procedures for Federal grant management across the Federal Government. If implemented, the proposed rule will inject significant uncertainty into Federal funding by allowing Federal agencies to withhold, suspend, or terminate grants. Agencies would also be empowered to change key terms and conditions for grants, including during implementation of a project. APTA submitted comments to the Federal Register and APTA members have conducted advocacy on Capitol Hill opposing this proposed rule and its policies.
During APTA’s Legislative Committee meeting at the TRANSform Conference & EXPO, attendees heard from Sarah Saadian, Senior Vice President of the National Council of Nonprofits. Sarah informed members of other ways to get involved including signing a national letter and marking your calendar for a day of action on November 10 by contacting your Members of Congress and posting advocacy messages on social media.
View APTA Talking Points on Block OMB from Issuing Final Rule on Federal Grant Management.
Host your Members of Congress
APTA strongly encourages you to meet with your Members of Congress and show them first-hand how this public transportation investment works for everyone. APTA has prepared a Site Visit Toolkit to help you effectively plan, organize, and execute an event with your elected officials, including providing sample social media posts for maximum impact.
View APTA’s Site Visit Toolkit.
Use APTA’s Advocacy Tools
It has never been more important to make the case to Congress for public transportation investment. That is why we have created a one-stop shop explaining key advocacy tools, such as our APTA Industry Footprint and Bus and Railcar Manufacturing schematics, for APTA members to engage with their Members of Congress both on Capitol Hill and in their Congressional Districts and States.
APTA’s Industry Footprint is a great tool to share with Members of Congress to show how many riders utilize public transportation; recent major grant awards; and the manufacturing, construction, and engineering firms advancing public transportation projects in each Congressional District and State. The My Economic Impact tool uses your public transit agency’s budget data to calculate the economic impact of your transit service.
View the APTA Advocacy Resource Center.