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Appropriations

SUMMARY

APTA aggressively advocates for robust Federal investment for public transit, passenger rail, transit security, and other programs through the annual appropriations process. Congress must pass appropriations legislation every fiscal year.

This page includes information on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts (THUD Appropriations Acts). Most Federal Transit Administration (FTA) transit programs receive Federal funding (i.e., contract authority) through the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund, and the funding levels for these programs are set in the Surface Transportation Authorization Act, not in the THUD Appropriations Act. However, the THUD Appropriations Act sets an annual limit on obligations of contract authority that may occur during a fiscal year. In addition, the THUD Appropriations Act provides funding for specific programs, such as Capital Investment Grants and passenger rail programs (e.g., Amtrak), that are subject to annual appropriations from the General Fund. APTA also works to ensure that important policy provisions are included in final legislation.

FY 2027 THUD Appropriations Act

APTA urges Congress to provide $26.3 billion for public transit and $24.8 billion for passenger rail in FY 2027, in line with APTA’s 2026 Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations. These topline funding levels reflect FY 2026 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) authorization levels, with an adjustment to restore the purchasing power lost to inflation since 2021. Moreover, APTA’s Recommendations continue the IIJA’s guaranteed funding, as public transit contract authority and advance appropriations, and we look forward to working with Congress to ensure this critical guaranteed funding continues.

FY 2026 THUD Appropriations Act

Prior THUD Appropriations Acts