Bipartisan highway reauthorization advances out of House T&I Committee

The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee advanced its bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization package 66-2 early Friday morning without any major amendments impacting the asphalt pavement industry, marking a critical step forward for long-term federal highway investment.

The BUILD America 250 Act, introduced by a bipartisan coalition led by T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), would invest roughly $580 billion over five years, primarily in core infrastructure including roads, highways, bridges, transit, and rail.

“One of my top priorities when I became chairman of this committee was to move a bipartisan surface transportation bill that provides multiyear certainty for states and local governments and to address the needs of our roads, bridges, rail, and transit systems,” Graves said in his opening statement. “I’m proud that this committee worked together to find some common ground on this crucial bipartisan piece of legislation.”

NAPA has strongly supported the legislation through a public statement, formal endorsement letter, coalition engagement, and media advocacy.

“The BUILD America 250 Act is a major step forward for our nation and the asphalt pavement industry,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “The $580 billion primarily dedicated to core surface transportation is a landmark investment for the American people who rely on safe, reliable roads every day.”

Representatives consider hundreds of amendments in marathon markup

During yesterday’s marathon markup, lawmakers considered around 300 submitted amendments touching nearly every aspect of the five-year surface transportation proposal, including work zone safety, environmental review timelines, project delivery reforms, and new Highway Trust Fund revenue proposals.

NAPA closely monitored amendment activity throughout the markup, engaging directly with committee staff on provisions affecting the asphalt pavement industry and submitting around 20 letters advocating for or against amendments of particular interest.

The Manager’s Amendment—a grouping of multiple amendments agreed to by Chair Graves and Ranking Member Larson—included a few impactful modifications, including enhanced work zone protections and an authorized study on Highway Trust Fund solvency, though it did not include major policy shifts for asphalt pavement.

“The bill remains a strong package for the asphalt pavement industry and the millions of Americans who rely on safe, reliable roads every day,” NAPA Vice President of Government Affairs Nile Elam said following the mark up.

NAPA leads wide-ranging advocacy effort

NAPA has mounted a broad advocacy effort in support of the BUILD America 250 Act, including a formal endorsement letter to committee leadership, a public statement applauding the legislation, coalition coordination, amendment engagement, and media outreach.

“The BUILD America 250 Act, a five-year, $580 billion infrastructure package, will ensure asphalt producers and contractors receive the certainty, federal financial support, effective work zone safety policies, and sensible permitting reforms to maintain and advance our national roadway network the remainder of this decade,” read NAPA’s endorsement letter, signed by Chair of the Board Jay Lemon, Copeland, and Elam.

NAPA’s advocacy showed up during the mark up. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) celebrated the inclusion of the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act, a key NAPA priority. NAPA amplified Rep. Bresnahan’s comments, which were then shared by Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) and the House T&I Majority Committee.

Elam also authored an op-ed emphasizing the bipartisan nature of the legislation and the importance of long-term infrastructure certainty ahead of today’s markup.

“The roads that move goods to market, connect communities to opportunity, and get workers home safely are party-neutral,” Elam wrote in The Washington Times. “So too is our shared commitment to keeping America moving.”

NAPA has also coordinated with coalition partners and industry stakeholders, including groups focused on work zone safety, transportation construction, and surface transportation materials policy, to reinforce support for key provisions within the legislation.

What’s next for reauthorization

Following committee approval, the legislation must still clear several additional hurdles before reaching the president’s desk.

The House Ways and Means Committee will likely need to consider portions of the package under its jurisdiction, including the bill’s proposed electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid user fees, before the legislation can advance to the House floor. The House Science, Space & Technology Committee marked up its relatively small portion of the reauthorization package this week and included a Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement strategy section, which NAPA supports.

House leadership could schedule floor consideration as soon as June, while Senate committees — most notably the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee — continue developing their own surface transportation reauthorization framework.

With current surface transportation programs set to expire Sept. 30, industry stakeholders and lawmakers alike are emphasizing the need to maintain momentum.

“The T&I Committee has shown the nation what’s possible when leaders choose collaboration,” Elam wrote. “Now the full House, Senate and White House must match that example and deliver the long-term certainty, modernized network, and reliable infrastructure that Americans deserve.”