Congressman Cohen Hails Passage of Bipartisan, Bicameral Federal Highway Funding Bill

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee for the federal highway funding bill and a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today hailed the House passage of H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), a bipartisan, long-term surface transportation bill. The FAST Act provides $305 billion in guaranteed funding for America’s transportation and infrastructure programs over five years. It also reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank for four years.

“I am pleased the House and Senate have finally agreed to a bipartisan, long-term surface transportation bill,” said Congressman Cohen. “This historic bill is the first long-term highway bill passed in 10 years, and it funds highways and railroads that are important for Memphis’s standing as an American distribution center. Memphis has five Class I railroads and three interstate highways that run through the city. I am most pleased that my amendment to provide local transit systems, such as Memphis Area Transit Authority’s MATAplus Service, increased flexibility to enhance and improve paratransit services was included in the final bill. A bill I sponsored with Congressman Denham to allow passengers to transport their pets on Amtrak trains was also incorporated, as was a provision I championed to encourage development along public transportation corridors which benefits the environment.”

The FAST Act provides an estimated $41 million increase in highway funding and an estimated $2.9 million in transit funding for Tennessee next year.

“On a local level, the bill includes increased funding for buses and bus facilities that will help improve MATA services in Memphis and incentives for states to collect data to combat racial profiling at traffic stops,” added Congressman Cohen. “Furthermore, it continues the highly-successful Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program that ensures women and minority-owned businesses are able to fairly compete for U.S. Department of Transportation contracts. After 36 short-term extensions, it is past time for America to fully invest in improvements to our roads, bridges, rail, and mass transit. I would like to thank my colleagues who also served on the House-Senate Conference Committee for working in a bipartisan manner to finalize this bill.”