House Begins FY 2026 Transportation Spending Push

What happened: The annual transportation appropriations process kicked off this week with the release of the House-proposed spending bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which would fund core highway and public transportation programs at levels authorized in the 2021 infrastructure law.

However, the legislation would tinker with some advanced appropriations money, shifting funds away from rail, electric vehicle, and some discretionary grant programs, and toward the air traffic control system, tribal programs and the INFRA Grant program, which funds major freight investments. The Capital Investment Grant program, which supports transit capital projects, is also proposed to face cuts. Complete details are in the chart below.

ARTBA previously weighed in with the committee, urging full funding of programs authorized in the 2021 law.

Why it matters: Completing appropriations legislation on time and at authorized levels helps give states and localities the certainty needed to invest in transportation improvement projects.

What’s next: The bill July 17 advanced out of the committee on a party-line vote. The Senate has not yet released its proposed legislation, but must do so in a bipartisan way, in order to secure the 60 votes needed for passage.