House to Consider IIBEC-Backed, Senate-Passed Transportation Bill by Sept. 27

On August 24, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a rule by a vote of 220-112 that did three things:

• Deemed the $3.5 trillion budget resolution to be passed, allowing the reconciliation process to move forward
• Made in order a voting rights bill to be considered later that day
• Indicated that the House “shall consider” the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill on September 27 if the chamber has not acted on it by then

The infrastructure bill, which the Senate passed on August 10, allocates billions of dollars for federal transportation programs and includes $550 billion in new spending over the next five years. An AP story noted, “There’s money to rebuild roads and bridges, and also to shore up coastlines against climate change, protect public utility systems from cyberattacks and modernize the electric grid. Public transit gets a boost, as do airports and freight rail. Most lead drinking water pipes in America could be replaced.” IIBEC outlined how the bill could benefit the industry in a previous article.

IIBEC signed an industry letter supporting passage of the Senate bill and is hopeful House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will schedule it for a vote before the September 27 deadline, as the underlying authorization for federal transportation programs expires on October 1.