House subcommittee pushes for flexible funding, faster delivery in next surface transportation bill
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Lawmakers and transit officials told the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit that the next surface transportation reauthorization should give agencies more flexibility to use federal funds for operations, shorten delivery timelines, and improve oversight so projects are built on time and on budget.
The House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit heard bipartisan calls Thursday to redesign federal transit funding so agencies can respond to local needs, move projects faster and show clearer results.
Chair Rausser said the hearings are timed to inform development of “the next surface bill” and argued lawmakers should give systems more flexibility. “We have an opportunity in the next surface bill to ensure public transportation systems have the flexibilities needed to deliver high quality services,” he said during his opening statement.
Witnesses from large and small agencies urged Congress to preserve capital investment while allowing federal dollars to be used for operations in places that need them. Nat Ford, CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and testifying for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), said federal investment is critical to maintaining state of good repair and that continued, predictable funding allows agencies to plan and improve safety and reliability. “One crime or one incident harming, an employee or any of our riders is one too many,” Ford said when asked about balancing safety investments with budget constraints.
Multiple witnesses and members pressed for clearer timelines and paperwork requirements so grants and construction do not stall. Brooke Feigenbaum of the Reason Foundation told the panel that streamlining environmental and permitting reviews (NEPA and related processes) and setting concrete time limits would speed project delivery and reduce costs.
Members and witnesses also discussed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and pandemic supplemental funds, noting the large federal infusion since 2020 but warning that money alone will not ensure outcomes. Several witnesses asked Congress to pair funding with metrics for on‑time performance, safety and ridership so the public can track results.
The subcommittee signaled it will weigh proposals to (1) allow more operational flexibility for systems with demonstrated need, (2) require clearer timelines and simpler application guidance from FTA, and (3) strengthen reporting and oversight to make federal spending more auditable. The hearing record remains open for additional submissions.