From asphalt plants to Capitol Hill, NAPA advocates for a highway bill

From the control room of an asphalt plant to the halls of Congress, NAPA employed a wide array of tools and techniques this week to encourage lawmakers to pass a robust highway bill and secure federal funding for our nation’s roads.

With less than 140 days until the highway bill expires—and with hopes of House action as soon as next week—NAPA is pushing for policies that improve our roads and connect our nation’s communities.

NAPA’s Elam outlines NAPA priorities to Democratic members

Nile Elam, NAPA’s vice president of government affairs, detailed NAPA’s surface transportation reauthorization priorities to a handful of Democratic representatives May 14, explaining why Congress must pass multiyear highway bill with robust federal funding.

The New Democratic Caucus’ Surface Transportation Reauthorization briefing, led by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), featured a frank conversation between the members of Congress and transportation industry leaders on what surface transportation policies Congress may prioritize. Many of the attendees touched on shared priorities, such as protecting formula funding to reforming the permitting process.

Elam detailed how uncertainty and stagnant federal investment has harmed the asphalt pavement industry in the past, stressing the need to pass a bill by the Sept. 30 deadline.

“We cannot afford to let this bill expire or be pushed into the next Congress through a continuing resolution,” he said. “We urge you and your colleagues to get this bill across the finish line.”

Rep. Barr sees critical work of asphalt pavement industry at Louisville Paving

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-6), the front runner for Kentucky’s open Senate seat, saw firsthand the skill and effort that go into making high-quality asphalt pavement when he visited Louisville Paving and Construction this week.

The tour, which also included NAPA and the Plantmix Asphalt Industry of Kentucky, showcased the value Louisville Paving brings to its community and the importance of investing in asphalt pavement nationwide.

“We appreciate Rep. Barr taking the time to see our industry up close and thank Louisville Paving, PAIKY, and everyone involved for a great tour,” said Mitch Baldwin, NAPA’s director of government affairs who participated in the tour. “Visits like these highlight the people, innovation, and investment needed to keep America’s roads strong, safe, and moving forward.”

NAPA, industry partners urge Congress to pass a highway bill at TCC Fly-In

Industry leaders and advocates gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In at a critical moment to discuss key policy issues and advocate on Capitol Hill.

From hearing from leaders in transportation policy—including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy —to industry-specific briefings, to meetings with lawmakers, the two-day convening featured important policy discussions at a consequential moment.

“You being here and doing this is one of the most impactful things you can do for surface transportation,” NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland said to hundreds of TCC attendees.

NAPA joins coalition letter opposing suspending federal gas tax

NAPA joined a TCC letter opposing proposals to suspend the federal gas tax, explaining that such a policy would have at best limited impact on consumer prices while risking driving up costs in transportation construction sectors.

In response to spiking gas prices, lawmakers from both parties have floated suspending the tax, a proposal that intensified when President Trump endorsed the policy.

Lawmakers from both parties, including from congressional leadership, have also critiqued such a policy, noting how detrimental it would be to the Highway Trust Fund, the infrastructure the fund supports, and the people that infrastructure serves.

“The precedent that a gas tax suspension would set, that funding for roads and bridges can be given or taken away as government actions warrant, would be detrimental to these foundational programs that built America,” the groups wrote.