FY 2022 Spending Deadline Extended to March 11

What happened: The Senate’s Feb. 18 passage of a three-week stop gap spending bill helps avert a government shutdown and keeps most federal programs funded at FY 2021 levels. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation before the midnight Feb. 18 expiration of an earlier extension.

Why it’s matters: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) authorizes historic increases in funding for most federal highway and public transportation programs. However, those enhancements are on hold until a new FY 2022 spending bill is enacted. This is the fourth time Congress and the administration have postponed the FY 2022 spending package. This delay is causing state transportation departments to hold off on lettings for the increased spending. The implementation of many new state formula and discretionary programs at the U.S. Department of Transportation is also stalled.

What’s next: Congressional negotiators have made progress on a final FY 2022 package and are expected to meet the new March 11 deadline. ARTBA will continue pushing to maximize transportation funding in the bill and will keep members apprised as details of the final package are released.