NAPA arranges Minnesota project tour for Congressional leadership
NAPA hosted a project site tour on March 20 with three key House leaders driving this year’s surface transportation bill: Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) Chairman Sam Graves, T&I member Pete Stauber, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer.
The event, co-hosted by Wright County local officials as well as mayors, state legislators, and industry stakeholders, featured a policy discussion followed by a tour of crucial highway projects along Minnesota’s I-94 corridor. The policy roundtable included insights from the three Members of Congress, along with Jason Duininck, Partner of Business Development for Duininck Inc. and NAPA First Vice Chair, and NAPA Vice President for Government Affairs Nile Elam.
“It was significant for the industry that NAPA was able to host T&I Chairman Graves – along with the third most powerful man in the House in Whip Emmer, and NAPA ally on T&I in Rep. Stauber – to meet with local officials and discuss critical highway and roadway that benefit from our shared goal of passing a transformative surface transportation reauthorization package this year,” Elam said. “It is not only a great showcase for the asphalt pavement industry, but more importantly, reiterates the partnerships NAPA has fostered and the key work we aim to support in T&I, along with House Leadership, in the weeks and months ahead.
“There is a lot of work left to do,” Elam added. “Convening this roster of representatives to speak exclusively on highway investment with NAPA leadership illustrates how much is on the line and should encourage everyone within NAPA to stay active and engaged with their Members of Congress on passing this key bill as quickly as possible.”
Congressional Attendees Reinforce Legislative Urgency
Congressman Stauber, a strong NAPA ally on key priorities like permit reform and road investment, opened the panel by underscoring the urgency for Congress to pass a surface transportation reauthorization this year. He highlighted the significant impact the bill would have on Minnesota, including his northern district, and stressed the importance of preserving federal funding, empowering local entities, and supporting state transportation agencies through proven formula programs.
Chairman Graves followed, emphasizing the need to advance the Committee’s reauthorization package as quickly as possible, signaling that work could ramp up soon after Congress’s Easter recess. Graves reiterated T&I’s commitment to a “traditional” bill focused on core Highway Trust Fund priorities—roads, bridges, highways, rail, and transit—and noted the Committee would not scale back funding levels achieved in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. He also highlighted the crucial work of T&I members, including Ranking Member and NAPA ally Rick Larsen, and stressed that action on long-term transportation investment cannot wait.
Whip Emmer, the third-highest ranking official in the Republican leadership, reinforced House leadership’s support for moving a reauthorization package to the floor quickly. He acknowledged how well the T&I Committee works and suggested the bill is unlikely to require significant intervention from leadership. Emmer, whose district includes Wright County and the I-94 corridor, emphasized the importance of predictable, long-term federal investment to give states and local communities the certainty they need to plan and deliver critical infrastructure projects.
NAPA Members Know the Stakes
Duininck shared a brief look at his company’s 100-year history and its role in all 11 surface transportation reauthorization packages enacted since the post–World War II interstate system was built. He also underscored the value of a multi-year reauthorization, noting it provides the certainty needed to reinvest in plants, deliver projects across the state, and—most importantly—support their workforce.
“It was an honor to host these great Congressional allies in my home state, and as Duininck Inc. enters its 100th year in business, the stakes could not be higher as we eagerly await a new surface transportation bill in 2026,” Duininck said. “NAPA has long led on this key policy agenda. Hearing the discussions in Wright County and seeing the work Duininck Inc. and others are advancing every day in Whip Emmer’s local community underscore how much collaboration NAPA has fostered and how relevant our industry is today.”
Duininck issued a call to action to fellow NAPA members. “I encourage all our colleagues within NAPA’s membership to continue working with their Congressional partners—regardless of local politics or committee assignments—as we keep up the drumbeat for federal investment in our roads, highways, and bridges.”
Elam continued those themes, highlighting the work of asphalt producers throughout the nation. Elam shared that the 400 million tons of asphalt produced annually in the United States depend on whether Congress can pass a highway bill this year. He also reiterated how a surface transportation bill would help advance work zone safety—a NAPA priority – and opportunities to boost reclaimed asphalt pavement deployment, an area where NAPA’s members are stewards, saving states billions of dollars annually.
”It was great to see three powerful Members of Congress emphasizing the need to reauthorize the surface transportation bill,” said Mitch Baldwin, Director, Government Affairs, at NAPA. “Congressman Stauber, Chairman Graves, and Whip Emmer all highlighted the needs that each of their districts had – many of which are long overdue. Additionally, it was great to hear how aligned these policymakers are with the asphalt pavement industry – all three expressed the need to increase formula funding and flexibility for state DOTs, address permit reform, and get a bill done on time!
“While some in the DC bubble express doubt on Congress’s ability to get a bill across the finish line before September 30, I remain confident that under the leadership of Chairman Graves, the House can get a bill done in short order,” Baldwin added.
Key Work on the Horizon – Get Involved!
While months of work has occurred in the background, Chairman Graves told the audience that formal surface transportation reauthorization bill introduction could happen as early as mid-April, with a possible committee markup soon thereafter. Further, Whip Emmer made it clear that once this bipartisan package passes out of T&I, the House would waste little time to address the bill, offer amendments, and ultimately pass it out of the House.
NAPA staff are working with all policy stakeholders throughout Congress and welcomes ongoing support from NAPA members. To support these efforts, please consider:
- Submitting NAPA’s grassroots letter to your representatives (a collaboration with the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, American Cement Association, and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association).
- Joining NAPA’s Political Advocacy Member Council
- Working with NAPA’s Government Affairs team to host your Member of Congress on a paving job or plant site.