Senate Preparations on Surface Transportation Continue

What happened: The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee used a June 3 hearing featuring Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster to weigh in on surface transportation priorities and the need for reauthorization of these programs.

McMaster shared updates on outstanding grant awards, efforts to boost work zone safety, and project delivery improvements, like more states taking on responsibility for the environmental review process.

Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) also offered an update on her committee’s highway title noting, “I’m focused on crafting a bill that targets investments in road and bridge projects through flexible, predictable formula funds to the states to deliver on-time and on-budget projects…We have work ahead of us on this bipartisan agreement. I’m committed to working with our partner committees in the Senate, colleagues in the House, to deliver a bill to the President’s desk, and certainly working with my Ranking Member Senator Whitehouse, as well.”

What’s next: The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will turn its attention to transportation issues next week with a hearing focused on how technology can be used to drive transportation innovation. Innovation also featured in the House-passed BUILD America 250 Act, which contained a title on autonomous vehicles.

Why it matters: Timely engagement in the Senate is critical to on-time delivery of a new reauthorization bill. Four Senate committees have a stake in the next surface transportation bill.