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Costa Votes for Five-Year Highway Reauthorization

December 3, 2015

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Jim Costa (CA-16) voted to pass the conference report to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes highway, bridge, transportation safety, and public transit projects at $305 billion and provides $281 billion in guaranteed funding for these programs over the next five years.

"Today's passage of a five-year transportation reauthorization bill is a step forward for our country," said Rep. Costa. "Democrats and Republicans worked across the aisle and made compromises for the greater good of this country, and that is how our government is supposed to function. The legislation passed today will provide certainty for communities in Fresno, Madera, and Merced and throughout the nation so they can plan and prioritize local transportation projects."

Costa continued saying, "While this is a positive step in the right direction, I am disappointed that the legislation does not include more robust funding to repair and rebuild many of our nation's roads, bridges, and public transit systems. Frankly, if we truly want to move this country forward, then investments in infrastructure will have to be made. This should have been addressed in the bill that passed the House of Representatives today. I will continue to work with my colleagues to find appropriate funding mechanisms so we can make long-term investments in our Central Valley and nation."

In June, Rep. Costa and other Members of the California delegation sent a letter to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure requesting provisions of great importance to California's transportation systems. From increasing transit funding to dedicating specific funding for freight projects, many of the requested provisions made it into the final bill.

The conference report does include a number of key provisions, including:

  • Boosting commerce and strengthening our economic competitiveness by providing dedicated funding specifically for freight projects, including freight rail, for the first time.
  • Injecting $3.7 billion over five years into bus funding – a 75 percent increase over current levels. This will reduce traffic congestion by providing more public transportation options.
  • Authorizing $10.2 billion for intercity passenger rail investment, including Amtrak, while providing $199 million in guaranteed funding to help commuter railroads implement Positive Train Control systems.
  • Increasing American manufacturing jobs by strengthening Buy America requirements.