House Science Committee Continues Focus on Research and Development
July 29, 2021
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee added five more bills to its efforts to enhance and expand the nation’s research enterprises. The five bills join with previous passed legislation, including the National Science Foundation for the Future Act and the Department of Energy for the Future Act, to form a package of legislation that......
House Appropriators Move on FY22 Spending Bills
July 15, 2021
This week the House Appropriations Committee took steps to pass fiscal year (FY) 2022 government spending for core infrastructure programs. While the committee has not passed all 12-spending bill, lawmakers took the initial steps by passing FY22 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD); Commerce, Justice, and Science (CST); Interior and Environment; Energy and Water Development;......
Senate Commerce Passes Bipartisan Surface Transportation Reauthorization
June 17, 2021
Last week Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced S. 2016, the Surface Transportation Investment Act (STIA). STIA is a five-year, $78 billion authorization of many key agencies at the Department of Transportation (DOT) including the Office of the Secretary (OST), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA),......
Senate Passes Massive Technology Bill
June 10, 2021
On June 8th, the Senate passed on a 68-32 vote, the United States Innovation and Competition Act, a comprehensive piece of legislation to expand funding for science and innovation and to combat China on economic, scientific, and diplomatic fronts. The bill, containing more than 1,400 pages, authorizes $250 billion for basic and advanced technology research, as well......
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Passes Surface Transportation Reauthorization
June 10, 2021
This week the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act. After a marathon markup that lasted until 5 am on Thursday, T&I passed the final version of the INVEST in America Act. Vote was largely partisan (38-26) with......
Biden Releases Full Budget Request
June 03, 2021
The full details of the Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget were released on Friday, May 28 and include the full scope of the Biden Administration’s “American Jobs Plan.” The $6 trillion federal spending plan for FY22 seeks to invest heavily in several government agencies to boost infrastructure and education, expand affordable housing, bolster public......
White House Doubles Funding for BRIC
May 26, 2021
The Biden administration has announced that it will double federal funding to encourage communities to better prepare for hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. Specifically, the President has authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to double to $1 billion for FY 2021 the funding available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC......
Senate EPW Introduces Bipartisan Surface Transportation Bill
May 25, 2021
Over the weekend Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Ranking Member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act (STRA) of 2021. This legislation takes the first step in reauthorizing highway and bridge......
ASCE a Leading Voice for Infrastructure Dialogue Nationwide
May 20, 2021
Infrastructure has been all the rage these days, as President Biden and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have been calling for generational investment in the nation’s built environment as a means of revitalizing the economy and getting Americans back to work. Massive investments have been proposed, including President Biden’s $2.2 trillion......
House T&I Republicans Introduce the STARTER Act 2.0
May 19, 2021
On Wednesday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO6), and other Republican Committee leaders, introduced the Surface Transportation Advanced through Reform, Technology, & Efficient Review (STARTER) Act 2.0. This is the latest and most detailed surface transportation reauthorization released by either party in either chamber this Congress. The legislation maintains Republican surface......