Congress Punts on Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation Spending

What happened: Congress extended funding for transportation programs through Jan. 19, avoiding a government shutdown and providing more time for agreement on spending levels through Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The action was part of a two-tiered plan: extend some government spending programs through Jan. 19 and others through Feb. 2.

The Senate passed its FY 2024 transportation spending bill Nov. 1, but the House bill, which cuts rail and public transportation programs, lacks the votes to pass.

Why it matters: The continuing resolution maintains current FY 2023 spending levels – but doesn’t incorporate the FY 2024 authorized funding increases included in the infrastructure law.

What’s next: Congress returns after Thanksgiving to resume work on FY 2024 spending bills. It’s unclear yet what will break the House’s logjam so that it can pass transportation spending legislation.