Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act

Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act is a United States federal law that was enacted to improve the nation's surface transportation infrastructure, including Federal Highway Administration programs, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiatives, and Federal Transit Administration projects. The law was signed by President Barack Obama on December 4, 2015, after being passed by the 114th United States Congress, with support from lawmakers such as Senator John Thune, Senator Bill Nelson, and Representative Bill Shuster. The legislation built upon previous surface transportation laws, including the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, which were signed into law by President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, respectively. The law also drew input from various stakeholders, including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Laborers' International Union of North America.

Background and legislative history

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act was the result of a long and complex legislative process, involving negotiations between lawmakers from the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, including Senator Mitch McConnell, Senator Harry Reid, and Representative Nancy Pelosi. The law was preceded by several short-term extensions of the previous surface transportation law, including the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on August 8, 2014. The legislative process involved input from various committees, including the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which are chaired by lawmakers such as Representative Bill Shuster and Senator Jim Inhofe. The law also drew upon research and recommendations from organizations such as the Transportation Research Board, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Major provisions and funding

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act authorized $305 billion in funding for surface transportation programs over a period of five years, from 2016 to 2020, with allocations for Federal Highway Administration programs, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiatives, and Federal Transit Administration projects. The law included provisions to improve the safety of the nation's transportation infrastructure, including requirements for automated vehicle technologies, positive train control systems, and commercial driver's license programs. The law also included funding for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act programs, which provide financial assistance to state and local governments for transportation projects, such as the New York City Subway and the California High-Speed Rail system. Additionally, the law included provisions to support the development of alternative fuel vehicles, such as electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with incentives for manufacturers such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Implementation and impact

The implementation of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act involved the coordination of various federal agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration, which work with state and local governments, such as the California Department of Transportation and the New York State Department of Transportation. The law has had a significant impact on the nation's surface transportation infrastructure, with funding for projects such as the Gateway Program and the Cincinnati Streetcar system. The law has also supported the development of new technologies, such as autonomous vehicles and smart traffic management systems, with investments in research and development by organizations such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Stanford University, and the Carnegie Mellon University. Furthermore, the law has helped to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, with support from business leaders such as Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg.

Controversies and criticism

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act has been the subject of controversy and criticism, with some lawmakers and stakeholders expressing concerns about the law's funding provisions and implementation. For example, some lawmakers, such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Peter DeFazio, have argued that the law does not provide sufficient funding for surface transportation programs, while others, such as Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Paul Ryan, have expressed concerns about the law's impact on the federal budget and the national debt. Additionally, some stakeholders, such as the American Trucking Associations and the Airlines for America, have expressed concerns about the law's regulatory provisions and their impact on the transportation industry, with support from organizations such as the National Retail Federation and the United States Chamber of Commerce. The law has also been criticized by environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, which have argued that the law does not do enough to support sustainable transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with input from experts such as Al Gore and Michael Bloomberg.

Reauthorization and subsequent legislation

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act is set to expire in 2020, and lawmakers are currently considering reauthorization and subsequent legislation to continue funding surface transportation programs. The reauthorization process is expected to involve negotiations between lawmakers from the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, with input from stakeholders such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Laborers' International Union of North America. The subsequent legislation is likely to build upon the provisions of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, with new initiatives and funding provisions to support the nation's surface transportation infrastructure, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on November 15, 2021. The legislation will also need to address emerging issues, such as the development of autonomous vehicles and the impact of climate change on transportation infrastructure, with support from organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences and the American Society of Civil Engineers.