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Rep. Larsen Highlights Bipartisanship in Highway Bill Debate
Top House Transportation Democrat Points to Safety, Technology Prior to Markup
Key Takeaways:
- House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders say work is advancing on a bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill ahead of a late September deadline.
- Rep. Rick Larsen emphasized safety, freight connectivity and emerging technologies as priorities in ongoing negotiations.
- Industry groups are urging Congress to maintain investment and address the Highway Trust Fund’s long-term solvency.
WASHINGTON — The top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said the panel is moving toward consideration of a comprehensive surface transportation reauthorization this year, as lawmakers face mounting pressure to update highway programs before a late September deadline.
Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the committee’s ranking member, said negotiations on a multiyear highway bill are advancing as the Republican-led panel prepares to schedule legislative action as early as this month. He said the emerging bipartisan framework is expected to emphasize safety improvements and stronger connectivity across the nation’s transportation network, including corridors critical to freight movement.
“We need to think about safety and saving lives,” Larsen said May 12 at the Transportation Construction Coalition’s annual conference, citing investments across highways, roads, rail and transit.
Larsen also pointed to the role of emerging technologies in shaping future transportation policy, arguing that Congress must keep pace with changes affecting how roads are built and how people and goods move. Advances in technology, he added, are influencing everything from construction methods to transit and rail operations.
Democrats on the committee continue to highlight the bipartisan infrastructure law enacted in 2021 as a benchmark for federal investment. Larsen credited the law with supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and accelerating efforts to modernize the nation’s transportation system. Ensuring the transportation sector supports a diverse workforce is a priority for Democrats on Capitol Hill.
He also cited the American Society of Civil Engineers’ most recent infrastructure report card, which issued the nation’s overall infrastructure a C grade — evidence that sustained investment remains necessary.
“I tell people, ‘Don’t focus on the timing, focus on the doing.’ Our committee is working its way through all these ideas,” Larsen continued. “And this is the kind of input that we’ve been listening to and prioritizing as we consider the diverse needs of communities across every district across the country.”
The upcoming surface transportation reauthorization must build on the progress and achievements of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. pic.twitter.com/JgHukdbsIk — Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (@TransportDems) April 13, 2026
Larsen’s remarks came as Congress debates fiscal 2027 transportation funding proposals and works to update highway programs before the current authorization expires in the fall. Lawmakers are grappling with funding uncertainty as they consider how to maintain investment levels and address long-term solvency challenges.
Top Capitol Hill aides say negotiations on the House highway bill have made progress this year. However, questions remain about whether a bipartisan package can advance through both chambers before the start of a new congressional session in January. Senate transportation leaders have yet to schedule consideration of their version of the legislation.
Freight and Commuter Corridors
At the same advocacy forum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reiterated the administration’s support for streamlining the federal environmental permitting process and called on Congress to approve significant investments in freight and commuter corridors. Duffy also emphasized ongoing safety campaigns across aviation and surface transportation, pointing to persistent concerns linked to roadway fatalities. Federal data shows about 40,000 people die each year on U.S. roads.
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Graves
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) has said he expects the House to consider a highway reauthorization bill by Memorial Day, several months before current highway programs expire. Speaking earlier this year with senior state officials, Graves said the committee is developing bipartisan provisions totaling about $550 billion to govern the nation’s transportation system, with Senate leaders expected to pursue a parallel effort.
Industry groups are urging Congress to move quickly. The Transportation Construction Coalition, which represents major freight and construction stakeholders, is calling on Congress to enact a highway bill that maintains strong federal investment to ensure communities can maintain safe and efficient transportation systems. The group also is pressing lawmakers to streamline federal review processes and address the Highway Trust Fund’s looming insolvency.
In its “Principles for the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization,” the coalition said Congress should modernize the Highway Trust Fund with “fair, dedicated and sufficient user-fee solutions” to stabilize long-term transportation funding and prevent future shortfalls. Options for policymakers include updating the federal gas tax and establishing new user fees for electric and hybrid vehicles. The gas tax, which remains the primary funding source for the trust fund, was last raised by Congress in 1993.
