As Partial Government Shutdown Looms, ARTBA Urges Action

What happened: Each congressional delegation Jan. 12 received a state-specific overview of the infrastructure law’s impacts in its first two years, along with a letter urging swift enactment of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 transportation spending legislation.

While a bipartisan, bicameral agreement was announced Jan. 8 to move forward on appropriations bills, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing headwinds within the Republican conference. Funding for transportation programs expires Jan. 19, while other agency funding expires Feb. 2.

Why it matters:  Transportation construction programs face minimal impacts in a government shutdown, but the uncertainty harms state departments of transportation seeking to advance projects.

What’s next: Appropriators in the House and Senate will continue work on individual FY 2024 spending bills, in line with the bipartisan agreement.  A continuing resolution will need to be passed and signed into law by Jan. 19 to avoid a partial government shutdown.