Buttigieg Reiterates State Autonomy Over Formula Programs

What happened: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared April 20 at a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Biden administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) budget request. Members asked him about grant awards and for clarification on how U.S. DOT prioritizes projects. Buttigieg answered a question about the Federal Highway Administration’s Dec. 2021 ‘fix-it-first’ memo by saying ‘there’s no one-size-fits-all policy,’ reinforcing that highway expansion has its place.

Members also asked about the time and expense imposed on state and local governments trying to complete grant applications. Buttigieg said he is working to ease this process, highlighting upcoming open funding opportunities like the PROTECT grant program announced April 21, which promotes surface transportation projects that enhance resiliency.

Buttigieg discussed how potential spending cuts to non-highway and public transit programs – like those suggested in the House GOP’s debt ceiling proposal – could impact transportation programs, including discretionary grants, aviation programs and overall system safety.

Why it matters: Beyond Buttigieg’s defense of the administration’s budget request, the hearing offered subcommittee members an opportunity to raise concerns about Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) implementation.

What’s next: The House Appropriations Committee intends to consider its transportation spending bill in June. ARTBA will work to ensure IIJA programs are funded fully for FY 2024.