Federal Transportation Bill Stuck in D.C. Traffic

In late July, the U.S. Congress avoided an interruption of vital transportation funding by passing a short-term extension of the current transportation funding legislation. Besides its importance to the overall economy and quality of life, federal transportation policy has long-lasting effects on how active transportation infrastructure - trails, bike lanes, and sidewalks - is funded. Importantly, the extension preserved the Transportation Alternatives Program, a main source of funding for trails, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure in New York State and across the country.

The extension was a short one, however, and now federal legislators are back to work on a long-term deal.

Prior to the summer recess, the Senate laid down a mark by passing a long-term bill, before ultimately caving to the House's wishes and agreeing to the short-term fix. That means that the current action is in the House of Representatives.

A vote on a transportation bill was originally scheduled for September 17 in the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. However, that vote was then delayed until October.

And then talk of a government shutdown began..... and talk of substantive issues such as transportation stopped. That's where we are now - STUCK.

Still, some positive signs for the continuation of funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program have emerged, including a letter, sponsored by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) and signed by all House Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, that requests continued funding for TAP. The letter asks that Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFezio (D-OR) and Highways and Transit Subcommittee Ranking Member Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) for continued support for the program.

On the other side of a government shutdown, or a last minute compromise, the House will return to discussions of the transportation bill. And that means that there is still much work to be done, and attempts to cut TAP or other important funding sources are a possibility. Moreover, even with a delay, deliberations and decisions on what will make it to the committee "cutting floor" are surely underway.

That's where you come in. You're calls to New York Senators Schumer and Gillibrand helped to ensure that bike/ped funding retained its place in the Senate version of the bill, and now your voice is needed to make sure that the House follows suite.

Several New York Representatives serve on the Transportation Committee, so calls to these legislators are critical. However, we all have a stake in our shared transportation system, so CALLING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE and stressing the importance of funding for walking and biking is essential.

Please contact your U.S. Representative, or set up an in-district visit and ask that they protect the Transportation Alternatives Program and support funding for bike lanes, trails, and sidewalks in the federal transportation bill. If you're unsure whom to call, click here to find your member of Congress.