After the recent approval of a bill boosting U.S. Dept. of Transportation infrastructure funding by $8.7 billion this year, congressional appropriators from both parties are urging DOT Secretary Elaine Chao to move the funds rapidly to state and local agencies, particularly for new transit projects.
Transit funding came up repeatedly during Chao’s appearances before appropriations subcommittees that oversee DOT spending—in the Senate on April 11 and in the House the following day. Chao told the lawmakers her goal is to get the funds out but also noted that the time pressure is tight.