The FAST Act will now be sent to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign the bill quickly.
The measure calls for spending approximately $205 billion on highways and $48 billion on transit projects over the next five years. It also reauthorizes the controversial Export-Import Bank’s expired charter until 2019.
The bill, passed last week by both the House and Senate, buys time for Congress to agree to a long-term deal.
The House amendment to eliminate the High Density States Program would funnel the money into the competitive Bus Grant program that every state is eligible for.
Passed by a 363-64 vote, the bill calls for spending $261 billion on highways and $55 billion on transit over six years. As expected, the legislation authorizes highway funding for six years, but only if Congress can come up with a way to pay for the final three years.
Additionally, the Senate approved the nomination of Sarah Feinberg as head of the Federal Railroad Administration.
However, according to U.S. PIRG, it is anticipated that the House will only provide funding for the first three years, requiring Congress to identify a new source of funding at the end of 2018.
The legislation helps improve the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure, reforms programs and refocuses those programs on addressing national priorities, maintains a strong commitment to safety, and promotes innovation to make the system and programs work better.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reportedly told Congress that the Highway Trust Fund isn’t going bankrupt as soon as expected, according to the report. Congress, though, would still need to reauthorize the program soon, with it now likely that it will probably be a three-year bill.
The Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, sponsored by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), passed by a vote of 387 – 35 – 1.
media brand
The secure and easy all-access connection to your content.
Bookmarked content can then be accessed anytime on all of your logged in devices!
Already a member? Log In
