It’s time for infrastructure that works for rural America
![Erwin's downtown with multiple historic buildings and American flags](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/downtown-erwin-e1632771525921.png)
Rural Americans need and deserve reliable and convenient transportation options, but current policies are failing them. Today we’re releasing six recommendations to help the administration make things right, combined with stories of success from rural America showing a better approach.
Why the House and Senate owe transit $10 billion
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Press-release-featured3.png)
he Senate’s infrastructure deal came up short on transit in two key ways. The House can address these concerns by restoring the funds cut from transit. More on this in our fact sheet.
Three ways reconciliation can restore funds taken from transit and equity
![Nancy Pelosi speaking into a microphone with Chuck Schumer on her right, AFGE behind her](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Nancy-Pelosi-Chuck-Schumer-at-StoptheShutdown-press-conference.jpg)
With the bipartisan infrastructure deal approved by the Senate, opportunities to shift long-term transportation policy will shift to the House and to program implementation. The opportunity in the House is through targeted investments via the budget reconciliation bill that will accompany the House infrastructure bill vote.
The bipartisan infrastructure deal’s passage: More money for more of the same
Yesterday the Senate passed the bipartisan infrastructure deal, which incorporates the Senate transportation reauthorization in all its good and all its flaws. We outline what’s in it and where to go from here.
Senate makes historic investment in yesterday’s transportation priorities
![press release](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Press-release-featured3.png)
Deal worsens long-term prospects for addressing climate and equity woes.
On infrastructure, the White House is about to trade away their stated goals on transportation in the name of bipartisanship
![press release](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Press-release-featured3.png)
“In its current state, this deal fails to accomplish the administration’s goal of reducing emissions, preserving both the status quo of easy money to build new highways (while neglecting basic repair needs) and the existing, complex hurdles to build transit,” said T4America Director Beth Osborne.
Senate takes aim at essential transit relief dollars to cover the cost of their infrastructure bill
![woman in MTA subway carriage cleaning the ceiling](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cleaning.png)
With the bipartisan infrastructure framework legislative text nearing a vote, unused transit COVID relief dollars have become a target for scrounging together enough money to pay for that deal’s cost. Our communities still need these funds—here’s why.
Equity and inclusion in transportation: a conversation starter with USDOT
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/creativecommons.png)
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has been engaging in a conversation with the public and the industry on the topic of equity and inclusion in the federal transportation program. To that end, they have opened up a Request for Information thru July 22, 2021 for the public to chime in on how the USDOT can do a better job of incorporating and holding accountability of equity and inclusion in their work and investments.
Six months in—how has Biden done with transportation?
![Image of President Joe Biden at a podium with the presidential seal on it at an outside press conference](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Biden_smiling.png)
While Congress controls the discussion on transportation reauthorization, President Biden’s team has a wealth of opportunity to make bold administrative changes to reform transportation policy. The President and Secretary Buttigieg continue to talk about the importance of transportation in building a stronger and more equitable economy, but they are still moving slowly six months in.
Bipartisan infrastructure deal update: What we need to see
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-transitops.png)
With Capitol Hill abuzz about transportation infrastructure, Transportation for America wants to remind Congress of key policies that must be incorporated into a bipartisan infrastructure bill (as well as a final transportation reauthorization bill.)
Historic INVEST Act passes the House, Onwards to the Senate towards Transportation Reauthorization
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scorecard-invest-in-america-act-2021.png)
Last week, the US House of Representatives took a bold step in passing sweeping legislation that rethinks the US transportation framework towards fixing it first, safety over speed, connecting people to jobs and services, and going a step further towards addressing climate change plus equity and inclusion. All eyes are now on the Senate on how they package their existing subpar work on highways, decent work on passenger rail and safety, the bipartisan infrastructure framework, and the House’s INVEST Act.
INVEST Act passes: an overdue paradigm shift toward accomplishing measurable outcomes that prioritizes repair, safety, and access
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Press-release-featured3.png)
We congratulate the House of Representatives for passing the INVEST Act, a transportation bill that commits to a fix it first approach, prioritizing safety over speed, and connecting people to jobs and essential services—whether they drive or not,” said Beth Osborne, director of Transportation for America.
Amendments we’re tracking to the House INVEST Act
The INVEST Act, which hits all three of Transportation for America’s three principles, is being considered this week on the House floor ahead of a final vote. There are a few key amendments being offered that could jeopardize these improvements, or further improve the already strong bill in support of our principles.
The bipartisan infrastructure deal: What we know and don’t know
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/49921039787_129b989d7a_k.jpg)
In the midst of debates over a new long-term federal transportation law, there’s been nonstop coverage of a potential bipartisan deal on new infrastructure investment that has the White House’s backing, but much of the reporting raises more questions than it answers. What do we know about the potential deal, and what questions does T4America have?
Senate Commerce Committee proves that bipartisanship doesn’t have to equal terrible transportation policy
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/110090972_3e3ac444e0_o.jpg)
The Senate committee tasked with handling the rail portions of the larger transportation bill managed to produce a bipartisan bill that also makes the expansion of reliable, frequent rail service to more Americans a cornerstone of its approach.
Thank Chairman DeFazio for his leadership on the INVEST Act
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/E3eh7hvXEAMojEg-scaled.jpeg)
After a marathon session, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the INVEST in America Act on Thursday with bipartisan support. Help us send a message of thanks to Chairman Peter DeFazio for his work advancing this groundbreaking bill. The Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Peter DeFazio, was instrumental in constructing […]
Build transit back better with more trains, more buses, more frequency
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/4623983143_0d50ce0447_o.jpg)
As more Americans begin returning to work and daily life, we need transit to be there, running reliably and frequently, getting us where we need to go. There’s an exciting new proposal to fund increased transit service across the country, but time is short to build support for this important legislation. While the INVEST 2.0 […]
Nine ways the House’s transportation proposal starts to make a “paradigm shift”
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IndyGo-mother-boarding-a-bus.jpeg)
With the House’s INVEST in America Act being considered in committee on Wednesday, it’s a good time to look at what else beyond our core three principles in the bill are worth praising and potentially even improving.
New House transportation bill goes 3 for 3 on T4America’s core principles
![](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scorecard-invest-in-america-act-2021.png)
Late last week the House released their new five-year proposal for transportation policy and spending, known as the INVEST in America Act. By focusing on making tangible progress on outcomes like repair, safety, climate change, and access to jobs and services—rather than just asking for more money for more of the status quo—House leaders have again proposed a paradigm shift in how we spend transportation dollars and measure what they accomplish.
House transportation proposal focuses on updating nation’s outdated transportation policy to get better results
![press release](https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Press-release-featured3.png)
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s proposal for long-term transportation policy makes repair, safety, climate change, and access to jobs and services core goals for the bill’s spending, rather than as nice add-ons— taking a dramatically different approach than the Senate proposal.