Some IIJA Transportation Funding Authorizations May Not Win Congressional Approval

Although Congress last week approved a stop-gap federal spending bill through a continuing resolution, one effect of that will be to delay approval of funding authorized in the recently approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The continuing resolution will extend federal funding at existing levels and, with few exceptions, ban new contracts. The resolution will expire next February.

Much of the transportation funding proposed by the IIJA, including money for intercity rail passenger service programs, is guaranteed by that legislation, but other funding programs within the IIJA are only authorizations that Congress must approve through the appropriation process.

The Rail Passengers Association reported on its website that a year-long continuing resolution could mean that as much as 20 percent of the authorized new funding of IIJA could go unrealized.

RPA said this includes authorizations for $3.9 billion in Amtrak operations and capital programs.

In a recent fundraising letter sent to RPA members, the group warned that there will be political pressure next spring to scale back federal spending.

Subject to potentially not being approved by lawmakers is funding for authorizations of programs involving grade-crossing improvements, upgrades to existing rail corridors, and the development of new passenger train services.

In an unrelated development, a key congressman who helped push the IIJA through Congress has announced plans to retire at the end of his current term.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, is chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and has been an outspoken proponent of increase rail passenger service and public transit.

The Oregon Democrat has served in Congress for 38 years. In a statement, DeFazio cited wanting to focus on his health and well being.

Tags: Amtrak funding, Federal transportation funding, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act