Legislative Background on Transportation Infrastructure
Recent Action by Congress Reauthorizing Surface Transportation Programs
Every few years, Congress passes legislation reauthorizing Federal surface transportation programs. Passage of the authorization bill is always a complex process because its programs fall within the jurisdiction of many different committees. The recent debate was no exception. The last surface transportation authorization, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) expired on September 30, 2009. Since that time, all programs and activities under the law have operated under a series of extensions. This year, the reauthorization was complicated by concerns over impending shortfalls in the Federal gasoline tax funds, which pays for highway and transit…
