Washington--Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after House passage of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015:

“This week marked the beginning of a new era in the People’s House, one in which every member has the chance to have their voice heard. Today, after consideration of 126 amendments and three days of debate, we see the first product: passage of a robust, fiscally responsible highway bill that will improve our nation’s infrastructure and reform the federal programs that provide for it.

“Many of the bridges and roads in Western North Carolina are in desperate need of repair, with recent studies showing 20% of our highways in poor condition. Our bill cuts red tape that has slowed these restorations and empowers those who know the problems best—the individual states and local governments instead of Washington bureaucrats. Safe and efficient transportation ultimately allows the costs for goods and services to remain low, while enabling businesses to remain competitive. This legislation will have a positive impact on the lives of all Americans who use our nation’s roads and bridges every day.”

NOTE- Below is a list of reforms included in the House-passed, six-year highway bill. Also included in the bill via amendment was H.R. 1839, the RAISE Act which was introduced by Congressman McHenry and initially passed the House on October 6th. Full details on the RAISE Act are available here. 

• Promotes private investment in our surface transportation system

• Streamlines the bureaucratic process to complete transportation projects.

• Expedites the environmental review and permitting process and increases coordination between federal, state, and local agencies.

• Eliminates duplicative regulatory processes and offices within the Department of Transportation.

• Provides more flexibility and decision-making to states and local governments to allow them to better address their priorities and needs

• Block grants the Surface Transportation Program (STP) to provide flexibility for states and local governments.

• Increases STP funding for local governments from 50% to 55% during the life of the reauthorization.

• The Surface Transportation Program (STP) provides flexible funding that may be used by States and localities for projects to preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge and tunnel projects on any public road, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects, including intercity bus terminals.

• Provides flexibility to states to target driver safety grants on their pressing safety needs

• Accelerates implementation of safety regulations for buses and trucks and prioritizes grants for programs that train veterans.

• Strengthens safety for transport of hazardous materials and emergency preparedness and response.