In a move to solidify the nation's commitment to its infrastructure, Chairman Sam Graves has initiated a discourse with Transportation Secretary Duffy over the Department of Transportation's policies and upcoming budget. Graves, at a hearing that took center stage today, underscored the urgency of pushing forward America's engineering capabilities. "We have to make America build again," declared Graves, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort to bring the country's transportation infrastructure into the modern era, as noted by the press release.
A recent hearing titled “Oversight of the Department of Transportation’s Policies and Programs and Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request” was the platform where Graves lauded the efforts of Secretary Duffy in her first six months of office. According to a statement obtained by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received a $12.5 billion down payment as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This substantial investment aims to revolutionize an aging air traffic control (ATC) system that has shown vulnerabilities after tragic aviation mishaps in recent months.
Graves also highlighted the strides made since the signing of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. "This bipartisan law significantly advances the aviation industry through safety reforms, requirements for the FAA to plan for modernizing the ATC system, improvements to address workforce challenges, increased funding for airports across the country, improvements to the passenger experience, and the inclusion of the first ever general aviation title," Graves told the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The ongoing collaboration with Duffy is anticipated to support the law's implementation, reinforcing America's status as a frontrunner in aviation excellence.
The discussion did not stop with aviation. Graves noted that the Committee has its sights set on the approaching surface transportation bill, seen as essential in refining the United States' broader infrastructure trajectory. The current authorization, set to expire next September, has been fraught with delays and fiscal impracticalities. According to Graves, the time is ripe to cut through administrative red tape and bolster the beleaguered Highway Trust Fund. He conveyed a bipartisan commitment to this aim, stating, "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the Trust Fund’s funding challenges," as stated in the same press release.
