More than two years after the last comprehensive surface transportation authorization bill expired, the U.S. Congress finally took a step to modernize outdated programs.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s unanimously approved a new transportation bill. Next, three other Congressional committees will approve their own portions of the bill, including transit and finance.
The bill, titled “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” (MAP-21), streamlines the existing transportation programs into five program areas. Another major improvement is the elimination of earmarks -- the last bill had about 2,000.
“The bipartisan passage of the MAP-21 bill in the Senate EPW Committee this morning provides a significant opportunity to move forward on a long overdue authorization of federal transportation policy with full funding to ensure we invest in America’s infrastructure,” said Transportation for America Director James Corless.
