House Panel Targets May Vote on Bipartisan Highway Bill

Key Details House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders plan to markup a multiyear surface transportation bill by the end of May, according to Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee. The proposed bipartisan legislation would authorize roughly $550 billion to govern the nation's mobility system over multiple years. Why It Matters Moving the bill through the House by May positions it to advance through the Senate before a September policy authority deadline. Rouzer emphasized that building strong bipartisan support is essential for legislative success and timely passage. Funding Challenges A major hurdle remains identifying long-term funding for highway maintenance and operations. The Highway Trust Fund relies on insufficient revenue from federal gas and diesel taxes, and lawmakers expect to debate alternatives including vehicle registration fees, EV surcharges, and adjusted vehicle-related taxes. What's Included The legislation would fund passenger and freight corridors, streamline environmental permitting for infrastructure projects, and support safety programs. Members have also requested increased flood mitigation funding, last-mile corridor improvements, and supply chain connectivity initiatives. Looking Ahead Policymakers are structuring the bill to address transportation needs over the next two decades, emphasizing multimodal connectivity and emerging technologies. Senate leaders have not yet scheduled consideration of their version.