The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has approved the BUILD America 250 Act, a bipartisan legislative proposal to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs for fiscal years 2027-2031. This five-year package aims to invest $580 billion in America’s highways, roads, bridges, transit systems, and rail networks. The bill, which passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 62-2, emphasizes the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and freight across the country.
The BUILD America 250 Act is positioned as a successor to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is set to expire on September 30, 2026. The IIJA, signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2021, represented a significant federal investment in infrastructure, with approximately $1.2 trillion authorized, including $550 billion for new programs and investments.
This new legislation seeks to provide long-term funding certainty and policy direction for these critical transportation sectors. Key provisions include significant investments in bridge repair, with over $50 billion allocated, and the introduction of a new revenue stream for the Highway Trust Fund by requiring electric vehicle (EV) owners to contribute through registration fees. This marks the first new revenue stream for the Highway Trust Fund in over three decades, addressing a funding gap exacerbated by the increasing adoption of EVs.
The BUILD America 250 Act has garnered bipartisan support in the House committee, with Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) co-leading the effort. Chairman Graves has described the bill as “the most important surface transportation bill since President Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System,” highlighting its historic level of investment.
However, the bill has faced some criticism. Advocates for transit and active transportation argue that the bill underfunds public transit and may not adequately address safety or repair priorities beyond new highway construction. Environmental groups have raised concerns about permitting and climate-related provisions, while labor unions have expressed objections to language concerning autonomous vehicles. Additionally, some progressive critics believe the EV registration fees could discourage EV adoption.
Despite these concerns, public opinion polls indicate broad support for infrastructure investment. A recent survey found that three-quarters of American respondents believe that investing in infrastructure will boost the economy and create jobs. Furthermore, a Navigator Research poll from November 2023 showed that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the predecessor to the BUILD America 250 Act, remained broadly popular, with strong support across partisan lines for components like repairing roads and bridges, and upgrading water pipes.
The BUILD America 250 Act now moves towards consideration on the House floor, with the Senate expected to develop its own reauthorization proposal. The timely passage of a successor law is critical to prevent disruptions to federal transportation funding.
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# House Committee Approves BUILD America 250 Act, Investing $580 Billion in Transportation
## Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Reauthorize Federal Surface Transportation Programs Through 2031
**WASHINGTON D.C.** – The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has advanced the BUILD America 250 Act, a significant bipartisan proposal to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2031. The bill, which garnered strong support with a 62-2 vote, authorizes $580 billion over five years for investments in the nation’s highways, roads, bridges, transit systems, and rail networks. This legislative effort is a successor to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is set to expire on September 30, 2026, and aims to ensure continued federal funding and policy direction for critical transportation infrastructure.
### The Details of the BUILD America 250 Act
The BUILD America 250 Act, formally known as the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act, emphasizes moving people, goods, and freight safely and efficiently across the country. A key component of the legislation is a substantial investment in the nation’s bridges, with over $50 billion allocated, representing the largest such investment in history. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new revenue stream for the Highway Trust Fund by implementing registration fees for electric vehicle (EV) owners. This initiative aims to address the widening funding gap resulting from the increased adoption of EVs, marking the first new revenue source for the Highway Trust Fund in over three decades. The legislation provides approximately $474 billion in contract authority, offering states and local governments greater certainty for long-term transportation planning and project delivery.
### Political Context and Bipartisan Support
The BUILD America 250 Act has been developed through a bipartisan compromise led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA). Chairman Graves lauded the bill, stating, “I believe the BUILD America 250 Act is the most important surface transportation bill since President Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System.” This bipartisan effort aims to secure long-term funding certainty and improve project delivery nationwide. The current authorization, established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, expires on September 30, 2026, making the reauthorization critical to avoid disruptions to federal transportation programs.
### Support and Opposition
Supporters of the BUILD America 250 Act highlight its historic investment in bridges and its innovative approach to funding the Highway Trust Fund through EV registration fees. They argue that the bill will provide essential funding for much-needed repairs and upgrades to the nation’s transportation infrastructure, supporting economic growth and mobility.
However, the bill has also drawn criticism. Advocates for public transit and active transportation, such as Transportation for America, argue that the bill “extends a failing status quo” and does not adequately prioritize safety or multimodal alternatives beyond new highways. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has expressed concerns that the bill “poses challenges for active transportation infrastructure.” Additionally, progressive critics have voiced opposition to the EV registration fees, believing they may discourage EV adoption, while some conservatives object to the expansion of federal fee collection. Environmental groups have also raised concerns regarding permitting and climate-related provisions, and labor unions have taken issue with the language concerning autonomous vehicles.
### Expert Analysis and Public Opinion
While specific expert analyses of the BUILD America 250 Act are still emerging, broader trends indicate strong public support for infrastructure investment. A survey by the Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA) found that three-quarters of American respondents believe that investing in infrastructure will boost the economy and create jobs. Public opinion data from Navigator Research shows that the previous Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed in November 2021, remains broadly popular, with high support for components such as repairing roads and bridges, and upgrading water pipes. For instance, 86% of Americans supported building and repairing roads and bridges, with significant bipartisan backing.
### What’s Next
The BUILD America 250 Act now faces consideration on the House floor. Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to begin developing its own reauthorization proposal in the coming months. The passage of a successor law before the September 30, 2026, expiration of current authorities is crucial to prevent federal transportation funding from ceasing.
### Broader Implications
The successful reauthorization of surface transportation programs is vital for the nation’s economic competitiveness and the daily lives of Americans. The BUILD America 250 Act, building on the foundation of the IIJA, aims to modernize and strengthen the country’s infrastructure for the future. The debate surrounding the bill highlights ongoing tensions in transportation policy between traditional highway investment and the growing need for multimodal, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. The outcome of this legislative process will shape the trajectory of infrastructure development and investment in the United States for years to come.
