FHWA nominee pledges to expedite grant agreements, implement law as Congress reworks surface transportation bill

Sean McMaster, President Trump's nominee to serve as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on May 14 that, if confirmed, he would prioritize safety and accelerate project delivery while working with Congress on reauthorization of surface transportation programs.

McMaster, introduced by the committee chair, said the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory "shows that more than 83,000 out of 147,000 bridges on the National Highway System are in fair or poor condition." He also cited FHWA data showing a 67% increase in transportation construction costs from 2021 to 2024 and described a backlog of discretionary awards awaiting signed grant agreements, saying two recent tranches totaled more than $5,000,000,000.

Why it matters: Congress must reauthorize surface transportation programs before the current authorization created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) expires in September 2026. Senators on the committee said project delays and frozen or paused discretionary grants are already slowing state and local investment in bridges and other critical infrastructure.

During questioning, Chairman Shelley Moore Capito emphasized regional bridge needs and asked McMaster for proposals to address regionally significant bridge projects in the next reauthorization. McMaster replied he would "support your efforts through reauthorization to identify additional ways we can accelerate the maintenance and enhancement of our nation's bridge on the highway system."

Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse pressed McMaster on whether he would implement congressionally authorized programs in a "faithful and unbiased manner," citing prior administrative freezes that had left appropriated dollars unused. McMaster responded, "you have my full commitment if I'm confirmed to implement the law, with the intent of Congress."

Senators from multiple states reported project-specific delays and sought commitments to move outstanding grant agreements. Senator Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Senator Lummis described local bridge and street projects that have submitted NEPA and other clearance documentation but had not received feedback on grant agreements; McMaster committed to follow up on their specific cases and to assist the secretary in efforts to move awards to signed agreements.

Committee members and the nominee also discussed streamlining and permitting reforms. McMaster said the department is reviewing regulatory guidance and seeking administrative steps ‘‘to reduce the regulatory burden’’ where statutory compliance allows, and to support state and local efforts to deliver projects more quickly.

The committee heard repeated calls for greater transparency on discretionary awards. McMaster said the department and secretary are working to convert awarded grants into executed grant agreements and to provide clearer guidance for states.

The hearing included questions about work zone safety and the human impacts of delayed projects. McMaster said safety would be his top priority and that he would seek briefings from FHWA staff to identify near-term actions to improve work-zone safety and project delivery.

Next steps: Senators may submit written questions for the record; McMaster and FHWA staff were asked to follow up on specific frozen awards and to cooperate with committee staff during the reauthorization process.