The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee on May 22 voted 62-2 to advance a comprehensive, bipartisan roads and bridges bill led by Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) that includes several priorities supported by U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA).
Following a 14-hour legislative markup, the committee approved the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act, H.R. 8870, also known as the BUILD America 250 Act, a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that would invest in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs.
“I want to thank all the committee members on both sides of the aisle for the long hours of debate they put in… on this vital legislation,” Rep. Graves said. “I look forward to moving this bill on the House floor in the near future, and to working with the Senate to pass a final bill before the current law expires on Sept. 30.”
If enacted, H.R. 8870 would provide the largest ever investment in America’s bridges, focuses on proven surface transportation infrastructure programs, provides passenger rail investments and reforms, improves rail safety, ensures that transportation projects and programs are more efficient, encourages innovation, provides the first ever autonomous commercial motor vehicle framework, and injects the Highway Trust Fund with its first new stream of revenue in over three decades, according to the T&I Committee’s bill summary.
The committee also advanced broader transportation priorities focused on streamlining permitting, improving work zone safety, increasing budgets for major projects, and investing in locally owned and off-system bridges.
“The purpose of the BUILD America 250 Act is right there in its name. We are celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation and the infrastructure that has helped form it, and this bill is about building the infrastructure we need for America’s future,” said Rep. Graves. “This bill makes historic investments in our bridges and other critical infrastructure, reduces costs and delays in building, ensures states have the resources and flexibility they need, bolsters the Highway Trust Fund, fosters innovation, and provides a framework for safely integrating autonomous commercial motor vehicles onto our highways.”
Rep. Bresnahan voted with the majority to pass H.R. 8870, which he said will provide federal funds for roads and bridges in northeastern Pennsylvania, supports and advances railway safety, keeps protections for roads and bridges from damage caused by heavier trucks, and sends more resources to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in his district.
“Too many communities are dealing with aging infrastructure that has been overlooked for too long,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “I’m proud to champion the largest bridge investment in American history and fight for policies that protect the workers who make these projects possible. Our roads, bridges, and railroads must be safe, reliable, and built to last, and this bill delivers on that promise.”
The congressman also pointed out that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, which requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of proposed transportation projects before approving or funding them, also benefits from provisions included in H.R. 8870.
“Our roads, bridges, and transportation networks keep NEPA moving, connect workers to jobs, and support local businesses,” Rep. Bresnahan said. “NEPA is long overdue for its fair share of infrastructure investment.”
Additionally, Rep. Bresnahan co-led an amendment to include the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026, H.R. 7748, in the final legislation — a bill he cosponsored on March 2 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Chris DeLuzio (D-PA) to bolster requirements for trains carrying hazardous materials, mandate two-person crews on major freight railroads, support first responders through expanded training and reimbursement programs, and invest in new rail safety technologies to help prevent future derailments.
He also succeeded in securing other amendments to H.R. 8870, including to help ensure that competitive bridge funding is distributed fairly to communities across his home state, and another to expand roadside protections to better account for the needs of disabled vehicle occupants involved in crashes, among others.