House Transportation Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) has set April 29 as the markup date for the surface transportation reauthorization bill, a critical step in shaping the nation’s infrastructure spending for the next five years. During a POLITICO interview, Graves confirmed negotiations are underway to finalize the bill’s topline funding, which he estimates will fall between $500 billion and $550 billion. While the exact figure remains under discussion, Graves acknowledged the challenge of balancing competing priorities while ensuring sufficient investment in transportation projects.
The proposed funding range marks a significant departure from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $1.2 trillion in total, with $550 billion dedicated to roads, bridges, transit, broadband, and water infrastructure. Graves has argued that the current bill should focus more on traditional infrastructure like highways and bridges, rather than expanding into areas like broadband and resilience projects. This stance reflects a broader ideological divide between Republicans, who emphasize fiscal responsibility and targeted spending, and Democrats, who advocate for more comprehensive infrastructure modernization.
Graves’ efforts to include an EV registration fee in the bill highlight his campaign to address long-term road funding challenges. While he previously attempted to insert a $250 fee for electric vehicles into a budget reconciliation bill, the measure failed to pass. This time, Graves stated the fee will be lower but declined to provide specifics. The inclusion of such fees has sparked debate over whether they are a fair approach to offsetting the environmental benefits of EVs, with critics arguing they could burden consumers and manufacturers. Hybrid vehicles may also face similar fees, though the final decision remains uncertain.
Graves’ negotiations with Democratic ranking member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) have been a focal point of the drafting process. Larsen’s team has expressed a desire for higher funding than the $550 billion range, with a spokesperson confirming the member wants a figure above that threshold. The disagreement underscores the challenges of reaching bipartisan agreement on infrastructure spending, particularly as lawmakers balance fiscal restraint with the need for modernizing aging transportation systems. As negotiations continue, the final bill will shape the trajectory of U.S. infrastructure investment for decades to come.