Aug 05, 2019
Show Your Support for America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act
BY AsphaltPro Staff
Contact your local senator or house rep today!
On July 30, 2019, the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works introduced S. 2302, or America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act (ATIA). The bill would authorize $287 billion from the Highway Trust Fund over the course of five years for the repair and maintenance of critical highways, roads and bridges across America.
August is a critical month for grassroots action in favor of ATIA–be sure to contact your representatives while they’re in their home offices this month and tell them that the time for action is NOW.
“ATIA has a long way to go before it becomes law,” NAPA said in a recent bulletin. “That’s why we need you to tell Congress to take the next steps, including finding a way to pay for sorely needed investment in the nation’s infrastructure.”
Visit NAPA’s website to send your senator or house representative a letter of support for ATIA!
About ATIA
ATIA would offer five years of predictable funding, from fiscal years 2021 to 2025 and will reauthorize the Highway Trust Fund before the FAST Act expires September 30, 2020.
Here are some fast facts about ATIA:
- ATIA would be the largest highway bill in history
- The funding level is more than a 27-percent increase above the FAST Act
- Roughly 90 percent, or $259 billion, would be distributed to states (by formula)
The legislation also includes $6 billion for bridges, new climate change and safety incentivisation programs, additional streamlining provisions, and allots resources to build alternative fuel stations along specific corridors.
Next Steps
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has indicated he will “make time for S. 2302 to be considered by the full U.S. Senate,” according to NAPA’s in-depth summary of ATIA’s pavement-related provisions.
The EPW Committee leadership intends to pay for ATIA with user-fees. However, finding revenue sources for the bill will be handled by the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA).
Grassley has said the Finance Committee will not consider how to pay for ATIA until McConnell “says he’s willing to let a gas tax increase on the floor.”
The last two reauthoriziation laws for the HTF (MAP-21 and the FAST Act) also began with the EPW Committee, followed by other Senate and House committees.
President Trump tweeted his support of ATIA on July 30, calling for the Senate to “Get it done.”
A summary of the full 467-page report can be found here.