Top T&I Dems Request Hearing on Long-Term Highway Bill
The top two Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are pressing the panel’s chairman and the chamber’s top tax policy authorizer to schedule a joint hearing very soon that focuses on a long-term highway bill.
“We understand that Ways and Means Committee Chairman (Paul) Ryan has agreed to hold a hearing on revenue options to maintain and improve our highways, bridges, and public transit systems. We believe such a hearing should occur as soon as possible, and that this should be a joint hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. We ask for your support in this effort,” wrote T&I ranking Democrat Peter DeFazio of Oregon and Subcommittee on Highways and Transit ranking member Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) on May 11.
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Republican leaders have not indicated if they will schedule such a hearing before highway funding authority expires May 31. Ryan told reporters last month he is crafting a measure that would ensure the Highway Trust Fund is operable through December to give members additional time to finalize a long-term highway measure.
Ryan’s panel has jurisdiction over the trust fund, an account that helps states finance infrastructure projects. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the account would be running dangerously low on funds by mid-summer.
